regrettable

/rɪˈɡrɛtəbl/ Formal

Say it: ri-GRET-uh-bull

adjective Deserving regret; unfortunate or deplorable, especially of an action or event.
The company's decision to lay off so many workers was truly regrettable.

📖 Seen in the wild

It was a regrettable decision that led to significant financial losses for the company.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ regrettable in a sentence

The politician called his past comments 'deeply regrettable' and issued a formal apology.
It is regrettable that we have to cancel the event due to the weather, but safety must come first.
The loss of the historic building in the fire was a regrettable blow to the town's heritage.
He made a series of regrettable financial choices that he is still paying for.
The breakdown in communication between the two departments led to a regrettable and costly mistake.
From a historical perspective, the treaty is now seen as a regrettable error in judgment.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

unfortunate deplorable lamentable unwelcome disappointing shameful ill-advised sorry

unfortunate · suggests bad luck or chance more than a bad decision.

deplorable · much stronger; implies something is morally wrong or shocking.

lamentable · more literary; emphasizes sadness and disappointment.

unwelcome · focuses on the negative reception of the event or action.

Opposites: fortunate, praiseworthy, welcome, desirable, admirable

🌱 Where it comes from

The word comes directly from 'regret' and the suffix '-able', literally meaning 'able to be regretted'. The root word 'regret' entered English from Old French 'regrater', which meant 'to lament' or 'bewail'. Its modern use to describe unfortunate events that warrant disappointment solidified in the 16th century.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

a regrettable incidenta regrettable decisiona regrettable mistakedeeply regrettabletruly regrettable

'Regrettable' is a formal word often used in official statements or serious discussions to describe an event that should not have happened. It carries a tone of disappointment and disapproval, but it is more measured and less emotional than words like 'terrible' or 'awful'. Be careful not to confuse it with 'regretful', which describes the feeling of a person who has regrets ('I am regretful'), whereas 'regrettable' describes the thing that causes the regret ('The situation is regrettable').

Word family: regret, regretful, regretfully

💬 Quick answers

What does regrettable mean?

It means something is unfortunate or deplorable and deserves to be regretted. It's used to describe actions, events, or situations that you wish had not happened.

What's the difference between 'regrettable' and 'unfortunate'?

'Regrettable' often implies that a poor decision or mistake was made by a person or group. 'Unfortunate' can also mean this, but it more often suggests bad luck or circumstances beyond anyone's control.

What's the difference between 'regretful' and 'regrettable'?

'Regretful' describes a person's feeling of regret (e.g., 'He was regretful for his actions'). 'Regrettable' describes the thing that causes the regret (e.g., 'His actions were regrettable').

Is 'regrettable' a formal word?

Yes, 'regrettable' is generally considered a formal word. It is frequently used in public apologies, official statements, and serious news reporting.

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