Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense regrets, present participle regretting, past tense, past participle regretted
1. verb
If you regret something that you have done, you wish that you had not done it.
I simply gave in to him, and I've regretted it ever since. [VERB noun]
Ellis seemed to be regretting that he had asked the question. [VERB that]
Five years later she regrets having given up her home. [VERB verb-ing]
Synonyms: be or feel sorry about, feel remorse about, be upset about, rue [literary] More Synonyms of regret
2. variable noun
Regret is a feeling of sadness or disappointment, which is caused by something that has happened or something that you have done or not done.
My great regret in life is that I didn't bring home the America's Cup.
Lillee said he had no regrets about retiring. [+ about]
3. verb
You can say that you regret something as a polite way of saying that you are sorry about it. You use expressions such as I regret to say or I regret to inform you to show that you are sorry about something.
[politeness]
'I very much regret the injuries he sustained,' he said. [VERB noun]
I regret that the United States has added its voice to such protests. [VERB that]
Her lack of co-operation is nothing new, I regret to say. [VERB to-infinitive]
I regret to inform you he died as a consequence of his injuries. [VERB to-infinitive]
4. uncountable noun
If someone expresses regret about something, they say that they are sorry about it.
[formal]
He expressed great regret and said that surgeons would attempt to reverse the operation.
She has accepted his resignation with regret.
More Synonyms of regret
regret in British English
(rɪˈɡrɛt)
verbWord forms: -grets, -gretting or -gretted(transitive)
1. (may take a clause as object or an infinitive)
to feel sorry, repentant, or upset about
2.
to bemoan or grieve the death or loss of
noun
3.
a sense of repentance, guilt, or sorrow, as over some wrong done or an unfulfilled ambition
4.
a sense of loss or grief
5. (plural)
a polite expression of sadness, esp in a formal refusal of an invitation
▶ USAGE Regretful and regretfully are sometimes wrongly used where regrettable and regrettably are meant: he gave a regretful smile; he smiled regretfully; this is a regrettable (not regretful) mistake; regrettably (not regretfully), I shall be unable to attend
Derived forms
regretful (reˈgretful)
adjective
regretfully (reˈgretfully)
adverb
regretfulness (reˈgretfulness)
noun
regrettable (reˈgrettable)
adjective
regrettably (reˈgrettably)
adverb
regretter (reˈgretter)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Old French regrete, of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse grāta to weep
regret in American English
(rɪˈgrɛt)
verb transitiveWord forms: reˈgretted or reˈgretting
1.
to feel sorry about or mourn for (a person or thing gone, lost, etc.)
2.
to feel troubled or remorseful over (something that has happened, one's own acts, etc.)
noun
3.
a troubled feeling or remorse over something that has happened, esp. over something that one has done or left undone
4.
sorrow over a person or thing gone, lost, etc.
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈpenitence
Idioms:
(one's) regrets
Derived forms
regretful (reˈgretful)
adjective
regretfully (reˈgretfully)
adverb
regretfulness (reˈgretfulness)
noun
regretter (reˈgretter)
noun
Word origin
ME regretten < OFr regreter, to bewail the dead < re- + Gmc base as in OE gretan, ON grata, Goth gretan, to weep
Examples of 'regret' in a sentence
regret
Not taking that penalty is the biggest regret of my career.
The Sun (2016)
But my biggest fear in life is regretting things.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
He admitted he had feelings for me and had no regrets about what happened.
The Sun (2016)
His actions betray little sense of regret.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is of great regret that his 25 years with the company should end in this manner.
The Sun (2016)
For me that leads to a great deal of sadness and regret and guilt, really.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It didn't work out like that but no great regrets.
The Sun (2017)
Although he may live to regret questioning how much the new American owners actually know about the game.
The Sun (2016)
But it is, without doubt, my biggest regret.
The Sun (2016)
There will be significant regret at the loss of those connections.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The core of the diary is an account of violence and death and regret.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
What is your biggest regret in life?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He began to regret bringing it up.
Christianity Today (2000)
You may regret this in a couple of years.
The Sun (2006)
He recalls those times now with rueful recognition but no great regret.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He is not the first writer to regret the loss of youth.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We had a huge sense of regret that she had chosen not to share this part of her life.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It was a victory for them that must have been tinged with great regret as to what might have been.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We may live to regret that.
The Sun (2014)
So take care of them while they are there and avoid the sorrow and regret you will have when they are gone.
The Sun (2012)
He says it matter of fact, his air somewhere between resignation and regret.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
I have no regrets about moving here.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
I regret having to bring it up.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But because of the selfless use to which he put the internet, regret at his death has been felt across the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Leaving it is astonishingly difficult and I will have real regrets and sadness.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
There was no disappointment, no regrets, no bitterness.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
regret
British English: regret /rɪˈɡrɛt/ NOUN
Regret is a feeling of sadness or disappointment.
He feels deep regret about his friend's death.
She had no regrets about leaving.
American English: regret
Arabic: نَدَم
Brazilian Portuguese: pesar sentimento
Chinese: 遗憾
Croatian: žaljenje
Czech: lítost
Danish: sorg
Dutch: spijt
European Spanish: pesar
Finnish: katumus
French: regret
German: Bedauern
Greek: μεταμέλεια
Italian: rammarico
Japanese: 後悔
Korean: 후회
Norwegian: anger
Polish: żal
European Portuguese: arrependimento
Romanian: regret
Russian: сожаление
Latin American Spanish: pesar lamentar
Swedish: ånger
Thai: ความเสียใจ
Turkish: pişmanlık
Ukrainian: шкода
Vietnamese: sự ân hận
British English: regret /rɪˈɡrɛt/ VERB
If you regret something that you have done, you wish that you had not done it.
He regretted saying it the moment he uttered the words.
American English: regret
Arabic: يَنْدَمُ عَلَى
Brazilian Portuguese: arrepender-se
Chinese: 后悔
Croatian: zažaliti
Czech: litovat něčeho
Danish: fortryde
Dutch: betreuren
European Spanish: lamentar
Finnish: katua
French: regretter
German: bedauern
Greek: μετανιώνω
Italian: rimpiangere
Japanese: 後悔する
Korean: 후회하다
Norwegian: beklage
Polish: pożałować
European Portuguese: arrepender-se
Romanian: a regreta
Russian: сожалеть
Latin American Spanish: lamentar
Swedish: ångra
Thai: เสียใจ
Turkish: pişman olmak
Ukrainian: шкодувати
Vietnamese: tiếc
Chinese translation of 'regret'
regret
(rɪˈɡrɛt)
n(c/u)
遗(遺)憾 (yíhàn) (个(個), gè)
vt
[one's action]后(後)悔 (hòuhuǐ)
[event]对(對) ... 表示遗(遺)憾 (duì ... biǎoshì yíhàn)
with regret遗(遺)憾地 (yíhàn de)
to have no regrets没(沒)有遗(遺)憾 (méiyǒu yíhàn)
to regret that ... 对(對) ... 感到后(後)悔 (duì ... gǎndào hòuhuǐ)
we regret to inform you that ... 我们(們)遗(遺)憾地通知您 ... (wǒmen yíhàn de tōngzhī nín ... )
1 (verb)
Definition
to feel sorry or upset about
She regrets having given up her home.
Synonyms
be or feel sorry about
feel remorse about
be upset about
rue (literary)
He was probably ruing his decision.
deplore
They deplored the heavy loss of life in the earthquake.
bemoan
She continually bemoans her lot in life.
repent (of)
weep over
bewail
All your songs seem to bewail a dissatisfaction in love.
cry over spilt milk
Opposites
be happy about
,
be satisfied with
,
rejoice over
,
have not looked back
,
feel satisfaction with
2 (verb)
Definition
to feel sorry or upset about
I regret the passing of the old era.
Synonyms
mourn
She still mourned her father.
miss
lament
It was traditional to lament deaths with a procession and a banquet.
weep over
sigh over
grieve for or over
pine for or over
1 (noun)
Definition
a feeling of repentance, guilt, or sorrow
He has no regrets about retiring.
Synonyms
remorse
She has shown no remorse for her actions.
compunction
I had no compunction about stealing from my parents.
self-reproach
pang of conscience
bitterness
repentance
They showed no repentance during their trial.
contrition
She is full of contrition and has vowed to change her ways.
penitence
She hung her head in mock penitence.
ruefulness
2 (noun)
Definition
a feeling of repentance, guilt, or sorrow
He expressed great regret.
Synonyms
sorrow
It was a time of great sorrow.
disappointment
They expressed their disappointment at what had happened.
grief
Their grief soon gave way to anger.
sadness
It is with a mixture of sadness and joy that I say farewell.
unhappiness
There was a lot of unhappiness in my adolescence.
lamentation
It was time for mourning and lamentation.
dejection
There was a slight air of dejection about her.
Opposites
pleasure
,
satisfaction
,
contentment
,
callousness
,
lack of compassion
,
impenitence
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bemoan
Definition
to lament
She continually bemoans her lot in life.
Synonyms
lament,
regret,
complain about,
rue (literary),
deplore,
grieve for,
weep for,
bewail,
cry over spilt milk,
express sorrow about,
moan over
in the sense of bewail
Definition
to express great sorrow over
All your songs seem to bewail a dissatisfaction in love.
Synonyms
lament,
regret,
complain about,
moan about,
mourn,
rue (literary),
wail about,
deplore,
bemoan,
repent,
grieve for,
cry over,
weep over,
express sorrow for
in the sense of compunction
Definition
a feeling of guilt or regret
I had no compunction about stealing from my parents.
Synonyms
guilt,
misgiving,
qualm,
scruples,
regret,
reluctance,
sorrow,
remorse,
repentance,
contrition,
penitence,
stab or sting of conscience,
work out
Synonyms of 'regret'
regret
Explore 'regret' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of contrition
She is full of contrition and has vowed to change her ways.
Synonyms
regret,
sorrow,
remorse,
repentance,
compunction,
penitence,
self-reproach
in the sense of dejection
There was a slight air of dejection about her.
Synonyms
low spirits,
depression,
gloom,
blues,
dumps (informal),
despair,
sadness,
sorrow,
melancholy,
unhappiness,
doldrums,
despondency,
the hump (British, informal),
gloominess,
heavy-heartedness,
downheartedness
in the sense of deplore
They deplored the heavy loss of life in the earthquake.
Synonyms
lament,
regret,
mourn,
rue (literary),
bemoan,
grieve for,
bewail,
sorrow over
in the sense of disappointment
Definition
the feeling of being disappointed
They expressed their disappointment at what had happened.
Synonyms
regret,
distress,
discontent,
dissatisfaction,
disillusionment,
displeasure,
chagrin,
disenchantment,
dejection,
despondency,
discouragement,
mortification,
unfulfilment
in the sense of grief
Definition
deep or intense sorrow
Their grief soon gave way to anger.
Synonyms
sadness,
suffering,
pain,
regret,
distress,
misery,
agony,
mourning,
sorrow,
woe,
anguish,
remorse,
bereavement,
heartache,
heartbreak,
mournfulness,
dejection
in the sense of lament
Definition
to feel or express sorrow or regret (for or over)
It was traditional to lament deaths with a procession and a banquet.
Synonyms
bemoan,
grieve,
mourn,
weep over,
complain about,
regret,
wail about,
deplore,
bewail
in the sense of lamentation
It was time for mourning and lamentation.
Synonyms
sorrow,
grief,
weeping,
mourning,
moan,
grieving,
sobbing,
keening,
lament,
wailing,
dirge,
plaint,
ululation
in the sense of penitence
She hung her head in mock penitence.
Synonyms
repentance,
shame,
regret,
sorrow,
remorse,
contrition,
compunction,
self-reproach,
ruefulness
in the sense of repentance
They showed no repentance during their trial.
Synonyms
regret,
guilt,
grief,
sorrow,
remorse,
contrition,
compunction,
penitence,
self-reproach,
sackcloth and ashes,
sorriness
in the sense of rue
Definition
to feel regret for
He was probably ruing his decision.
Synonyms
regret,
mourn,
grieve,
lament,
deplore,
bemoan,
repent,
be sorry for,
weep over,
sorrow for,
bewail,
kick yourself for,
reproach yourself for
Additional synonyms
in the sense of sadness
It is with a mixture of sadness and joy that I say farewell.