waves of regret

USAGE SUMMARY

"waves of regret" is correct and usable in written English and is often used to express a feeling of deep sorrow.
For example, "She experienced waves of regret when she realized what she had done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Werther noted "'Exit' evokes feelings of fear, fear of losing control, giving into one's dark side, perhaps even taking one's life", contrasting it to the "waves of regret" experienced by Judas.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the mid-1980's, amid a national wave of regret for the wartime discrimination, federal courts erased both men's convictions.

The New York Times

The loss of a limb is traumatic, and I experience waves of sorrow and regret.

The New York Times

The wave of regrets and rationalizations she spins is an incredible thing to witness.

The New York Times

It's hardly a cruel and unexpected blow when a man of 96 dies, but that didn't stop great waves of affection and regret billowing through parliament today when we heard about Michael Foot.

The Guardian

It is riding a wave of nostalgia and regret over Scotland's independence referendum last year, mainly to Labour's cost.

The Economist

The gnarly Fall Away sounds like a missing gem from the feted Nuggets psych-rock box set, arriving on a drum fill and cresting on a wave of yearning romantic regret.

The Guardian - Music

Some, who objected to her shoot with Lara Stone in blackface or her semi-nude story with very thin models, have loudly and articulately disagreed, but she waves off the idea of regrets.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This why Brené believes in the teaching power of regret and also why she finds it so worrisome when people dismiss regret with a wave of the hand.

Huffington Post

A matter of regret?

The Guardian - Film

I kind of regret that".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "waves of regret" to emphasize an intense, recurring feeling of remorse, often tied to a specific event or period.

Common error

Don't use "waves of regret" for mild disappointments; reserve it for situations involving significant remorse or sorrow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waves of regret" functions as a noun phrase, describing an emotional state. It combines the metaphor of "waves" to convey intensity and recurrence with the emotion of "regret". Ludwig AI confirms that this is a usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "waves of regret" is a grammatically sound phrase used to depict intense, recurring feelings of remorse. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, it's important to reserve this expression for situations involving significant regret, rather than mere disappointment. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as on wikis, its register is generally neutral. For alternative expressions, consider phrases such as "lingering remorse" or "pangs of regret" to tailor the nuance to your specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overwhelming regret

Stresses the overpowering nature of the feeling.

lingering remorse

Underscores the continued presence of the feeling, rather than its intensity.

moments of remorse

Focuses on specific instances rather than a continuous feeling.

pangs of regret

Highlights sudden sharp feelings instead of a sustained experience.

fleeting regrets

Emphasizes the brief, passing nature of the regret.

deep sorrow

Replaces "regret" with a more general term for sadness.

intense remorse

Focuses more on moral wrong-doing or guilt.

feelings of disappointment

Uses a weaker term indicating sadness because something didn't meet expectations.

sense of loss

Indicates a feeling of bereavement, but can overlap with regret in certain situations.

bitter disappointment

Conveys strong dissatisfaction, not necessarily regret for one's own actions.

FAQs

How can I use "waves of regret" in a sentence?

You can use "waves of regret" to describe an intense and recurring feeling of remorse, such as "After the argument, she was overcome by "waves of regret" for her harsh words."

What are some alternatives to "waves of regret"?

Alternatives include "moments of remorse", "pangs of regret", or "lingering remorse" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "waves of regret"?

It's best used to describe a strong, recurring feeling of remorse related to a specific event or decision. For less intense situations, consider using terms like "disappointment" or a "slight "sense of loss"".

Is "waves of regret" a formal or informal expression?

"Waves of regret" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, although more formal contexts might benefit from a slightly more nuanced expression, such as "overwhelming regret".