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Definitions

regretfully

[ri-gret-fuh-lee] / rɪˈgrɛt fə li /
ADVERB
sadly, remorsefully
Synonyms
STRONGEST
STRONG
abashedly bemoaningly contritely dismally longingly miserably mournfully penitentially resignedly self-reproachfully sorrowfully
WEAK
ashamedly compunctiously painfully shamefacedly sheepishly
Antonyms


ADVERB
unfortunately
Synonyms
Antonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

"If one withdraws or retreats from those levels of scrutiny and oversight, which were originally put in place, regretfully it is almost always the case that those problems will arise again."

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2025

Judge Vince Chhabria sided with Meta but appeared to do so regretfully, stating that Meta’s use of the writers’ work to train its bots isn’t necessarily legal but that the plaintiffs “made the wrong arguments.”

From Slate ● Jun. 30, 2025

The legendary saga of “meat chair,” a wildly expensive single item of patio furniture that was, for a time, regretfully on display in the deli area, hence the name.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2025

And when in Venice, he warned readers regretfully, “Stay away from gondolas; they cost as much as $3 an hour!”

From New York Times ● Nov. 18, 2024

“Everyone had the same idea as we did,” said Lina regretfully.

From "Auggie & Me" by R. J. Palacio


Vocabulary lists containing regretfully

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