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

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

New Zealand could regret not finishing off a win against Iran after leading twice in that match. — Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 21 June 2026 Letting go of these items leads to regret for the loss of nostalgia and passing on true history for a distorted version. — Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 28 June 2026

Noun

Evert acknowledged her regret at how things ended with Mill in an August 2011 interview with Elle. — Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 28 June 2026 Observational data on gender-affirming care demonstrates positive outcomes with notable improvements in mental health, low complication rates, and a 1%–4% rate of regret. — Kavitha Ranganathan, STAT, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for regret

Recent Examples of Synonyms for regret

Verb

Some beachgoers have lamented that Laguna Beach’s policy is too restrictive, and that long days spent on the sand require more shade than a small umbrella provides, particularly for families with small children.

— Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
To scroll the internet during the Swift-Kelce nuptials was to see a barrage of people lamenting the city’s electricity bill, misspent taxpayer dollars, and the alleged tackiness of a private, sure, but very much not secret affair.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 4 July 2026

Definition of lament

Noun

Fort Worth residents can now weigh in on the next steps in a transportation project that has caused headaches and buyer’s remorse in a changing neighborhood.

— Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 June 2026
The communication reportedly did not seek payment and included language expressing remorse, a detail experts say is unusual in genuine ransom demands.

— Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026

Definition of remorse

Verb

On Sunday, tens of thousands of men and women gathered in separate sections to mourn Khamenei’s death.

— Marc Smith, NBC news, 6 July 2026
Readers mourned Bill Spoon’s BBQ, which fed generations before shutting during the pandemic in 2020, and Bubba’s Barbecue on Sunset Road, which closed in January 2026 after 40 years of Eastern North Carolina-style ‘cue.

— Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026

Definition of mourn

Noun

There are other options, but regardless of what’s on the table for the future, burnout deserves to be taken seriously rather than explained away out of pride, guilt, or habit.

— Scott Hanson, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
Crafted with better-for-you ingredients, Javvy's Instant Protein Coffee blend and viral Coffee Concentrate deliver guilt-free indulgence, offering craveable flavors without compromise.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of guilt

Noun

With wonder and with great shame the yodel is an orphaned sound, a sound that turns the serenade toward an addressee that is destined to never hear it.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
Altitude is going to be a leveller, just a shame there are no West Bromwich Albion players in the England squad.

— Phil Hay, New York Times, 4 July 2026

Definition of shame

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regretful

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“Regret.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/regret. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of regret

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noun

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