regrettable

/rɪˈgrɛɾəbəl/
/rɪˈgrɛtəbəl/
IPA guide

Regrettable describes things that make you feel sorry. Letting your sister borrow your own snow shovel became a regrettable decision the moment the big storm started.

Actions and events are regrettable if they result in feelings of regret, or if they're unwelcome or undesirable. Wearing your least comfortable shoes on a walking tour of Paris will be a regrettable choice if blisters form on your toes. Remember, regrettable describes things like decisions, actions or words. Regretful is for describing people and feelings that express regret.

Definitions of regrettable
  1. adjective
    deserving regret
    “regrettable remarks”
    “it's regrettable that she didn't go to college”
    synonyms: too bad
    unfortunate
    not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘regrettable'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Commonly confused words

regrettably / regretfully

Regrettably is used when something’s a bummer, but it’s not necessarily your fault. Regretfully is when you’re full of regret, like if you decided to stay home and your friends saw your crush at the dance.

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Vocabulary lists containing regrettable

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The Magician's Nephew
C.S. Lewis

In this prequel set before The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer are forced by a magician to be his test subjects for rings created to travel between worlds.

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