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View synonyms for

regret

[ ri-gret ]

verb (used with object)

regretted, regretting.
  1. to feel sorrow or remorse for (an act, fault, disappointment, etc.):

    He no sooner spoke than he regretted it.

    Synonyms: , , , , , ,

    Antonyms:

  2. to think of with a sense of loss:

    to regret one's vanished youth.



noun

  1. a sense of loss, disappointment, dissatisfaction, etc.
  2. a feeling of sorrow or remorse for a fault, act, loss, disappointment, etc.

    Antonyms:

  3. regrets, a polite, usually formal refusal of an invitation:

    I sent her my regrets.

  4. a note expressing regret at one's inability to accept an invitation:

    I have had four acceptances and one regret.

regret

/ ɪˈɡɛ /

verb

  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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a sense of repentance, guilt, or sorrow, as over some wrong done or an unfulfilled ambition
  2. a sense of loss or grief
  3. plural a polite expression of sadness, esp in a formal refusal of an invitation
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈٴڳܱ, adjective
  • ˈٴڳܱness, noun
  • ˈٳٱ, noun
  • ˈٳٲ, adjective
  • ˈٳٲ, adverb
  • ˈٴڳܱly, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • ·t noun
  • ·tԲ· adverb
  • ܲr·t adjective
  • ܲr·tԲ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of regret1

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English regrete, regretten (verb), from Middle French regreter, Old French, equivalent to re- re- + -greter, perhaps from Germanic ( greet 2 )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of regret1

C14: from Old French regrete , of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse ٲ to weep
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Synonym Study

Regret, penitence, remorse imply a sense of sorrow about events in the past, usually wrongs committed or errors made. Regret is distress of mind, sorrow for what has been done or failed to be done: to have no regrets. Penitence implies a sense of sin or misdoing, a feeling of contrition and determination not to sin again: a humble sense of penitence. Remorse implies pangs, qualms of conscience, a sense of guilt, regret, and repentance for sins committed, wrongs done, or duty not performed: a deep sense of remorse.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

When asked if he had any sympathy for his victims, Abbas said that he never did before the Kardashian heist, "but this time I do regret what I did… It opened my eyes."

From

He said he wants to accomplish a great deal so he can leave with no regrets.

From

But these feelings can fade and it’s possible to experience regret afterwards.

From

A statement with the settlement expressed regret on his part - but contained no admission of liability or an apology.

From

But when topics turn elsewhere — their biggest Hollywood regrets, for example, or expounding on who should join them on the Mt.

From

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regressive taxregretful