regretful

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "regretful" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adjective that means feeling sorry or distressed over a past action or event. Example: After finding the mistake on the report, John was regretful that he had not taken more time reviewing it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was probably the largest and most complete city wall left in the world, but by the late 1960s there was little left save the elegant gate buildings strung out along the ring road built in its place.Now, true to Miss Lin's prediction, a regretful city government is erecting a replacement.

The Economist

But there is a glum view within UKIP that Mr Farage is nonetheless planning to dominate the "out" campaign in a way that would make it even less likely to succeed.His hope, it is feared, may be to "own the defeat", after the fashion of the Scottish National Party, which has enjoyed a regretful surge in support since last year's failed independence referendum.

The Economist

Misery and stalemate ReprintsThis is a big moment for America and Iraq, yet the Iraqi government was more regretful than jubilant, calling the deal the best it could achieve after more than a year of negotiations.

The Economist

A regretful member of the Labour front bench admits the error: "Whichever party loses the election will have to consider its failure to be more counterintuitive a monumental strategic mistake".

The Economist

Four-fifths of the world's fresh water is frozen.The book's final chapter, however, takes on a more regretful tone as the author turns his attention to climate change and what it means for cold places.

The Economist

They were angry and greedy; bored and disaffected; focused looters and regretful copycats.Where the arsonists were more successful, such as Tottenham, in north London, scars remain.

The Economist

But precisely where did these regretful thoughts occur so that they could have had this effect?

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sénac's early poetry, as in the volume Poèmes (1954), is bitter and regretful in its treatment of his childhood but optimistic with regard to his own creative possibilities as a man as well as to those of his people.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For example, Brutus might have had regretful thoughts after stabbing Julius Caesar, and these thoughts might have caused him to blush.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He felt terrible, he was humiliated, he felt he humiliated her.  "He was very regretful, he was very remorseful in that dressing room.

Independent

Then there are Shyama's friends Priya and Lydia, the former a married woman with a string of affairs behind her, and the latter a childless and secretly regretful alcoholic human relationships counsellor.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "regretful" to convey a sense of sorrow or remorse over past actions or events. Ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject is feeling regret about.

Common error

Avoid using "regretful" to describe current actions. "Regretful" refers to past events or decisions. For present situations, consider using words like "hesitant" or "reluctant" instead.

Linguistic Context

The word "regretful" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe someone or something that is feeling or expressing regret. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, emphasizing its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "regretful" is used to express feelings of sorrow or remorse about past actions or events. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. The word is very common, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. When using "regretful", make sure the context clearly indicates what is being regretted and avoid using it for present actions. Alternatives such as "remorseful" or "apologetic" can provide nuanced expressions of similar sentiments. Based on the comprehensive linguistic analysis, it can be concluded that the term "regretful" is a valuable asset for those hoping to convey feelings of disappointment, sorrow, or remorse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remorseful

Focuses more specifically on feeling deep guilt and repentance for wrongdoing.

apologetic

Implies expressing regret or being willing to apologize.

rueful

Suggests sorrow mixed with a hint of amusement or resignation.

contrite

Indicates sincere remorse and penitence.

penitent

Similar to "contrite", emphasizing the act of repenting for sins or misdeeds.

sorrowful

Highlights the feeling of sadness and grief.

disappointed

Expresses a feeling of sadness because something was not as good as expected or something did not happen.

crestfallen

Conveys a sense of deep disappointment and dejection.

chagrined

Signifies a feeling of embarrassment or annoyance caused by failure or disappointment.

dejected

Describes a state of being dispirited or disheartened.

FAQs

How to use "regretful" in a sentence?

Use "regretful" to describe someone feeling sorrow or remorse about a past action. For example, "He was "regretful" about not spending more time with his family."

What can I say instead of "regretful"?

You can use alternatives like "remorseful", "apologetic", or "rueful" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "regretful" or "regrettable"?

"Regretful" describes someone feeling regret, while "regrettable" describes something that causes regret or is unfortunate.

What's the difference between "regretful" and "sorry"?

"Sorry" can express sympathy or a general apology, while ""regretful"" specifically indicates a feeling of remorse or disappointment about something one has done or failed to do.