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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of regretful
The two end up drinking together, and the next morning, Rebecca wakes up in his bed, regretful of the one-night stand.
—
Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
Tsukasa is 26 and feeling a little wayward, regretful about his late start in figure skating.
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
The crown prince also responded to the question about Khashoggi, acting regretful about the killing.
—NPR, 19 Nov. 2025
Speaking publicly, Trump sounded almost regretful about the U.S. sanctions.
—Daniel Fried, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regretful
Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
Tsukasa is 26 and feeling a little wayward, regretful about his late start in figure skating.
—Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025
The crown prince also responded to the question about Khashoggi, acting regretful about the killing.
—NPR, 19 Nov. 2025
Speaking publicly, Trump sounded almost regretful about the U.S. sanctions.
—Daniel Fried, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for regretful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for regretful
Adjective
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Martin, meanwhile, left heartbroken.—
Brendan Quinn,
New York Times,
7 Feb. 2026
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Though heartbroken, Punsalan and Swallow decided to compete at Lillehammer anyway.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Liverpool’s sorry state Liverpool were sitting pretty for a short time at Anfield, driven in front by another epic strike from Szoboszlai (above).—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Sascha Smith recalled one of the last things Marantos said before going into emergency surgery Friday was sorry to his daughter Naomi, 6, for missing her birthday Sunday.—
Brittany Levine Beckman,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Such memories flowed freely this week on social media and in mournful first-person essays.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
6 Feb. 2026
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Newsom shakes his head, seeming more mournful than angry.—
Maya Singer,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Additionally, Williams feels proud of how her transparency has helped others not feel ashamed of doing what’s best for their health, especially considering there's been a lot of controversy surrounding the use of GLP-1 medications.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
28 Jan. 2026
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As explained above, that’s nothing to be ashamed about with how well the Clippers are playing.—
Law Murray,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
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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This is because these remorseful feelings were so heavy on my heart and weighing on my spirit.—
Anna Peele,
Vanity Fair,
27 Jan. 2026
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During his years behind bars, the 81 year old became reflective and remorseful, though no less colorful.—
Johnny Dodd,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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As the funeral procession got underway and the crowds swelled, a small group of supporters took Seif al-Islam’s coffin away and later performed the funeral prayers and buried him.—
Yousef Murad,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Waiting ultimately allowed Dews to attend the repast, a post-funeral gathering among family and friends.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Creative work becomes pre-apologetic.—
Richard P. Weigand,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
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In the footage, Rivera is initially apologetic to the trooper who pulls him over, saying sorry for going through a red light.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Regretful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regretful. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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