regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.
nagging regret for missed opportunities
Example Sentences
Verb Don't say anything you might regret later. I deeply regret what I said. She does not regret leaving him. He regrets not traveling more when he was younger. He says he doesn't regret anything that he's done in his life. Noun She has no regrets about leaving him. My greatest regret is not going to college. To my regret, I never visited Europe. It is with deep regret that he is announcing his resignation. My coworker gives her regrets for not being able to attend the meeting. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Now that the loan forgiveness plan has been announced, some regret their aggressive debt reduction. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 Anyone who bullies you could come to regret it today.Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2022 The pandemic was a political awakening for parents across the country, and teachers unions may come to regret their insistence on keeping schools shut down as much as parents do. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 31 July 2022 Many now regret the decision, according to a new survey.BostonGlobe.com, 12 July 2022 A quarter of those who quit their jobs during the pandemic now regret it, according to Joblist’s latest report that looked at the state of the job market in the second quarter of the year. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 12 July 2022 Three people – a Black man, a trans woman and a homeless mother – all regret voting for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, each with unique reasoning. Teny Sahakian, Fox News, 10 July 2022 But Jones, who is now a licensed psychologist in Denver, doesn’t regret posting the thread. Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 21 Aug. 2022 But for the record, Smith doesn’t regret how things went down. Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 18 Aug. 2022
Noun
Andrea believes that these books illuminate the value of regret. Leslie Jamison, The New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2022 Decades of neglect in military investments have become a source of regret among some European countries. William Nattrass, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Although the Baywatch star is known for her curvaceous figure, Anderson revealed getting breast implants was her No. 1 cosmetic regret. Grace Gavilanes, Peoplemag, 26 Aug. 2022 But that doesn't mean Weitz doesn't hold some level of regret at his decision. Charley Ross, Glamour, 18 Aug. 2022 If not, then he’ll be tossed overboard without an iota of regret, at least not by the top leadership: Rupert Murdoch and his increasingly important son, Lachlan. Margaret Sullivan, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2022 Women who were young when they were sterilized reported higher rates of regret. Faith Karimi, CNN, 25 July 2022 Acting before thinking about the possible long-term ramifications of leaving your spouse or quitting your job, for example, can lead you down a road of regret. Olivia Muenter, Woman's Day, 14 July 2022 Alas, that realization induces as much pang of regret as sigh ... Andrew C. Mccarthy, National Review, 14 July 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English regretten, from Anglo-French regreter, from re- + -greter (perhaps of Germanic origin; akin to Old Norse grāta to weep) — more at greet