1
as in heartbroken
expressing or suggesting mourning
gave me a regretful look when I told him we had to move my mother to a nursing home
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sorry
feeling sorrow for a wrong that one has done
was truly regretful that she had yelled at him
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of regretful
As expected, many regretful habits are attached to nighttime routines–when some productive distractions or extra comforts added to the process can at first feel like a godsend.
—
Devonne Goode, Parents, 24 Jan. 2025
Tsukasa is 26 and feeling a little wayward, regretful about his late start in figure skating.
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
Between plummeting resale values, trade-in rejections, vandalism with swastika graffiti and stickers on their cars, a growing movement of regretful Cybertruck owners are disguising their cars to avoid harassment, with some pointing their fingers directly at Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
The post quickly gained attention as people shared a variety of responses, from regretful admissions to justifications.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regretful
Devonne Goode, Parents, 24 Jan. 2025
Tsukasa is 26 and feeling a little wayward, regretful about his late start in figure skating.
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025
Between plummeting resale values, trade-in rejections, vandalism with swastika graffiti and stickers on their cars, a growing movement of regretful Cybertruck owners are disguising their cars to avoid harassment, with some pointing their fingers directly at Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
The post quickly gained attention as people shared a variety of responses, from regretful admissions to justifications.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regretful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regretful
Adjective
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Courtesy of Lionsgate The heartbroken little girl with the ballerina music box will grow up to be Ana de Armas’ Eve Macarro, a young woman bent on—what else?—avenging her father’s murder.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
6 June 2025
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The second track on the LP told the story of a heartbroken barmaid pining after a sailor who refused to give up his nomadically maritime lifestyle for her.—
Josh Weiss,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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Very sorry to hear about McKenzie not able to make progress.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
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And, sorry to be the bearer of even more bad news, the same applies to your smartphone PIN code.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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The Defender published several obituaries, mournful but proud.—
Victor Luckerson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
13 May 2025
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Trump, meanwhile, drew the public’s attention for wearing a dark blue suit and a lighter blue tie in a sea of mournful black attire.—
Darlene Superville,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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To lose a series to the Edmonton Oilers is nothing to be ashamed about.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
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While red, inflamed skin was often seen as the norm, my flares—ranging from deep brown or purplish dry patches to clusters of tiny, itchy bumps—looked more like a disease to be feared and ashamed of rather than understood and treated.—
Raelle Kennedy,
Health,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.—
David Mamet,
National Review,
11 Aug. 2022
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The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Adjective
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Sorensen wrote in a sentencing memo that Smith – a disabled Marine Corps veteran with three children – is remorseful and takes responsibility for his actions.—
Sara Schilling,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
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The men should have been there, looking remorseful, but during the first two hearings at which a total of 23 men were charged, only two came in person.—
Wendy Murphy,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Bright red ribbons decorate the trees and signposts of northwest suburban Niles in anticipation of a funeral procession and service today to honor Chicago Fire Department Capt. David Meyer, who was killed last week while battling a suspicious garage fire in the Austin neighborhood.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2025
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The funeral Mass for Pope Francis was attended by many world leaders including President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump.—
Mike Snider,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Being apologetic for the incident, Heim told NBC Sports: Corey Heim, driver of the #11 Safelite/Foster Love Toyota, enters his truck for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Rackley Roofing 200 at Nashville Superspeedway on May 30, 2025 in Lebanon, Tennessee.—
Saajan Jogia,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
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Wilson’s apologetic statement is a refreshing departure from the evasion of accountability that traditionally accompanies official debacles.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
8 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Regretful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regretful. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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