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adj

regretful

Regretful (adj) means feeling or showing regret. Example: “She gave a regretful smile and turned down the offer.”

adj
1
Feeling or showing regret.
"She gave a regretful smile and turned down the offer."

How to use regretful

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFeeling sorry about something.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "regrettable," which describes the thing itself (an event) rather than a person's feelings about it.

Easily confused with

Word forms

more regretful comparative, most regretful superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She gave a _____ smile and turned down the offer.

Antonyms

unregretful unrepining unsorry unrueful

Related words

Rhymes for regretful

See all rhymes for regretful →

Frequently asked questions

What does “regretful” mean?

The word “regretful” means feeling or showing regret. In plain terms, feeling sorry about something.

How do you use “regretful” in a sentence?

Here is “regretful” used in a sentence: “She gave a regretful smile and turned down the offer.”

What is another word for “regretful”?

Words with a similar meaning to “regretful” include repining, sorry and rueful.

What is the opposite of “regretful”?

The opposite of “regretful” — its antonyms — are unregretful, unrepining, unsorry and unrueful.

What part of speech is “regretful”?

“Regretful” is an adjective.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial