regret 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈgret How to pronounce regret (audio)
Definition of regretnext
as in to lament
to feel sorry or dissatisfied about we regret any inconvenience that we may have caused you

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of regret
Verb
Does Grier regret giving big extensions to Ramsey and Hill? —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2025 After the chaos of Hillary Clinton’s narrowing battle (and eventual loss) to Trump, the tweet became popular shorthand for people publicly regretting their votes. —Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
Still, some employees who did not accept it at the time have since expressed regret. —Eileen Sullivan, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025 He’s dealt with other suspects who expressed profound regret, or who were caught up in circumstances beyond their control. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for regret
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regret
  1. lament
  2. remorse
  3. repent
  4. guilt
  5. mourn
  6. shame
Verb
  • In recent years, PSG’s French supporters have occasionally lamented the fact that multiple superstar players — among them Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar and Messi — have spent time at the club without making an effort to learn the language of their new home country.
    — Tom Williams, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Whiteley at least tries, and an episode in which several of the international players lament the difficulties of playing out a six-month season without access to their families, many of whom struggle to get visas, is a standout.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of lament
Noun
  • Many people on Wall Street are also suffering from buyer’s remorse.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
  • The Major Systems Check Out A new home that turns out to be an unexpected money pit is among the top causes of buyer’s remorse.
    — Berit Thorkelson, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of remorse
Verb
  • Yes, the Supreme Court told Abraham Lincoln that only Congress could suspend it, but, for a time Lincoln, ignored this requirement—repenting later.
    — Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Meloni’s character spends the first five seconds in the trailer, released Wednesday, repenting his sins in a confessional.
    — Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
Definition of repent
Noun
  • His act of sacrifice was a culmination of his guilt over not doing enough to help June before.
    — Abigail Lee, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Woman Cuts Off Sister Following Fight Over $60,000 Inheritance from Their Dad — Who's Still Alive Most Redditors agreed that the woman should keep her legal share of the money — and not feel the slightest bit of guilt about it.
    — Toria Sheffield, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of guilt
Verb
  • Also, the episode opens with the introduction of Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby with a group of Fireflies, seemingly mourning the losses at the hospital where Joel murdered everyone to save Ellie.
    — Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Dominican communities, which are heavily Christian, will celebrate the holidays while mourning the Jet Set roof collapse.
    — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of mourn
Noun
  • People give me hate and shame about that all the time.
    — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Once a marker of shame for many children of South Asian immigrants, hair oiling has filtered into beauty trends on social media.
    — Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of shame

Browse Nearby Words

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regret
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Cite this Entry

“Regret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regret. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

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