Regretful

/rɪˈɡretfl/

adjective

Feeling or showing sadness because something was done and cannot be changed.

She was regretful about her decision once she realized its consequences.

Often appears as...

regretful decision
regretful expression

adjective

Feeling or showing sadness because something was done and cannot be changed.

She was regretful about her decision once she realized its consequences.

Often appears as...

regretful decision
regretful expression

Definition 1 of 1

Pro Tip 1/3

Emotional Weight

Indicates deep sadness with a personal touch, often more profound than simple disappointment.

His regretful sigh emphasized how deeply he felt about missing the event.

Pro Tip 2/3

Action Related

Usually used when someone wishes they had acted differently, conveying a sense of remorse.

After the argument, Mara was regretful for the hurtful words she had spoken.

Pro Tip 3/3

Irreversible Situations

Often associated with situations that can't be undone, making it important to convey the finality of past actions.

He was regretful that he didn't make amends with his friend before it was too late.

Pro Tip 1/3

Emotional Weight

Indicates deep sadness with a personal touch, often more profound than simple disappointment.

His regretful sigh emphasized how deeply he felt about missing the event.

Pro Tip 2/3

Action Related

Usually used when someone wishes they had acted differently, conveying a sense of remorse.

After the argument, Mara was regretful for the hurtful words she had spoken.

Pro Tip 3/3

Irreversible Situations

Often associated with situations that can't be undone, making it important to convey the finality of past actions.

He was regretful that he didn't make amends with his friend before it was too late.

Pro Tip 1/3

Emotional Weight

Indicates deep sadness with a personal touch, often more profound than simple disappointment.

His regretful sigh emphasized how deeply he felt about missing the event.

Pro Tip 2/3

Action Related

Usually used when someone wishes they had acted differently, conveying a sense of remorse.

After the argument, Mara was regretful for the hurtful words she had spoken.

Pro Tip 3/3

Irreversible Situations

Often associated with situations that can't be undone, making it important to convey the finality of past actions.

He was regretful that he didn't make amends with his friend before it was too late.

Compare with

apologeticashamedcontriteguiltypenitentremorsefulrepentantsorry

Look up Compare with

Visual representation of the word "Regretful"

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Video examples

Kathryn Schulz: Don't...

But first I want to say that the intensity and persistence with which we experience these emotional components of regret is obviously going to vary depending on the specific thing that we're feeling regretful about. So for instance, here's one of my favorite automatic generators of regret in modern life.