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

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

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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

One might actually regret leaving the land of steak bakes, sausage rolls, and pork pies. — Scott Tobias, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026 People reported incidents from 10, 20, even 40 years ago, and claimed to have regretted their inaction ever since. — Vanessa Bohns, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

Noun

What readers are saying The comments reflect a strong sentiment against Clarence Thomas, with many expressing regret over his confirmation to the Supreme Court. — Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, 11 Oct. 2026 The other half is captured in DuVernay’s fascinating portrait of the Lost Cause — the culture of defiance and regret and literal whitewashing that came to represent the Southern consciousness of what life had been before the Civil War. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for regret

Recent Examples of Synonyms for regret

Verb

The shop also pushed back against Clarkson’s version of events, saying all patrons are welcome, then lamented that the singer’s harsh statement had caused unwanted attention.

— Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2026
Dozens of comments piled up on Facebook as Idahoans lamented its demise.

— Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of lament

Noun

The supremely overconfident Graver finally shows some remorse for the damage their dirty work has inflicted on innocent lives.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
The judge also weighed mitigating factors, including that Molloy was experiencing difficult personal circumstances, stopped of his own volition and had shown genuine remorse.

— Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of remorse

Verb

Rock band Pavlov’s Dog is mourning the loss of singer-songwriter and lead vocalist David Surkamp, who died Monday at age 74.

— Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Dustin Hada, the head coach of Southern Nazarene’s football program, also mourned the loss of his player on social media.

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of mourn

Noun

The French gêne par procuration delegates discomfort, while the German Fremdschämen means foreign shame.

— Eugenie Brinkema, ARTnews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
While the imposing box set itself is a portable 12-pound film school and an instant status symbol on your shelf, there’s no shame in clicking over for a preview.

— Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of shame

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regressive

regret

regretful

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Style

“Regret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regret. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of regret

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