REGRET Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'regret' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of regret are anguish , grief , sorrow , and woe . While all these words mean "distress of mind," regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse. // nagging regret for missed opportunities

Q: Where would 'anguish' be a reasonable alternative to 'regret'?

In some situations, the words anguish and regret are roughly equivalent. However, anguish suggests torturing grief or dread. // the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

Q: In what contexts can 'grief' take the place of 'regret'?

The meanings of grief and regret largely overlap; however, grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause. // the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

Q: When might 'sorrow' be a better fit than 'regret'?

The words sorrow and regret can be used in similar contexts, but sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse. // a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

Q: When could 'woe' be used to replace 'regret'?

While in some cases nearly identical to regret , woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery. // cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

regret 1 of 2

verb

ri-ˈgret

Definition of regret next

as in to lament

to feel sorry or dissatisfied about we regret any inconvenience that we may have caused you

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

regret

2 of 2

noun

as in remorse

a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing she was consumed with regret for belittling him in public and felt much better once she had apologized

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word regret different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of regret are anguish, grief, sorrow, and woe. While all these words mean "distress of mind," regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.

nagging regret for missed opportunities

Where would anguish be a reasonable alternative to regret?

In some situations, the words anguish and regret are roughly equivalent. However, anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.

the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

In what contexts can grief take the place of regret?

The meanings of grief and regret largely overlap; however, grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

When might sorrow be a better fit than regret?

The words sorrow and regret can be used in similar contexts, but sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse.

a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

When could woe be used to replace regret?

While in some cases nearly identical to regret, woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of regret

Verb

The big picture: Trump has regretted for years not releasing all the JFK records in his first term, according to those who have discussed the matter with him. —

Marc Caputo, Axios, 10 Feb. 2025 The Oxford Street flagship, near Selfridges, was sold out within the day, leaving Machin regretting that M&S didn’t bet bigger on Bella. —

Samantha Conti, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025

Noun

The regret should come from Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady. —

Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 28 Jan. 2025 To apologize effectively, parents should acknowledge their mistakes, express sincere regret, and offer opportunities for reconciliation. —

Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for regret

Recent Examples of Synonyms for regret

Verb

Last year, General Motors and Ford lamented missing where the market actually is with too many too-expensive EVs and not enough hybrids.

— Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 7 Feb. 2025
This was dialed back, but to this day users lament Musk's outsize presence on their feeds.

— Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025