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regret

Definition

  • noun: sorrow aroused by circumstances beyond one's control or power to repair
  • verb: to feel sad or sorry about (something that you did or did not do)
  • verb: to mourn the loss or death of
  • used formally and in writing to express sad feelings about something that is disappointing or unpleasant
  • synonyms: abject apology, acknowledgment, affliction

Examples

  • If you don't travel now, you might 'live to regret it'. [=you might feel sorry or disappointed about it in the future]

  • We 'regret' to inform you [=we are sorry to tell you] that we have offered the job to someone else.

  • It is to be 'regretted' [=it is regrettable/unfortunate] that the program has lost its funding.

Movie quotes

  • (..) ...and have a job. What do you really want to know? Am I sorry for what I did? Well, are you? There's not a day goes by I don't feel regret. Not because I'm in here or because you think I should. I look back on the way I was then... ...a young... ...stupid kid who committed (..)
    1994 The Shawshank Redemption