Synonyms of regret

regret 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈgret 

as in to lament

to feel sorry or dissatisfied about

we regret any inconvenience that we may have caused you

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lament
• repent
• mourn
• rue
• deplore
• sorrow (for)
• bemoan
• grieve (for)
• bewail
• ache (for)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• enjoy
• relish
• delight (in)
• savor
• revel (in)
• savour

regret

2 of 2

noun

as in remorse

a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing

she was consumed with regret for belittling him in public and felt much better once she had apologized

Synonyms & Similar Words

• remorse
• guilt
• shame
• remorsefulness
• sadness
• repentance
• contrition
• rue
• grief
• sorrow
• penitence
• self-reproach
• apology
• anguish
• blame
• contriteness
• qualm
• compunction
• embarrassment
• misgiving
• responsibility
• scruple
• culpability
• chagrin
• prick
• distress
• excuses
• fault
• ruth
• liability
• rap
• mea culpa
• hand-wringing
• bloodguilt
• bloodguiltiness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• impenitence
• remorselessness

Synonym Chooser

How is the word regret different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of regret are anguish, grief, sorrow, and woe. While all these words mean "distress of mind," regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.

nagging regret for missed opportunities

Where would anguish be a reasonable alternative to regret?

In some situations, the words anguish and regret are roughly equivalent. However, anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.

the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

In what contexts can grief take the place of regret?

The meanings of grief and regret largely overlap; however, grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

When might sorrow be a better fit than regret?

The words sorrow and regret can be used in similar contexts, but sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse.

a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

When could woe be used to replace regret?

While in some cases nearly identical to regret, woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of regret

Verb

According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 24% of Americans regret one or more of their tattoos. —Marie Lodi, Allure, 1 June 2025

Still, that might not make firms that chose to strike deals with Trump regret their actions. —Ella Lee, The Hill, 1 June 2025

Noun

However, too often, summer travel comes with a side of financial regret — especially when the credit card bill hits the following month. —Jordan Priddy, Kansas City Star, 4 June 2025

The bill narrowly passed the House in May, but now some GOP members are signaling regret on their stamp of approval. —Alexandra Hutzler, ABC News, 4 June 2025