regretful
Wishing things different
Regretful describes feeling or expressing regret—sorrow or disappointment about something that happened or didn't happen: She gave a regretful sigh as she turned down the invitation.
Often confused with regrettable, which describes the thing that causes regret rather than the person feeling it.
A regretful person made a regrettable decision.
Feeling guilt for wrongdoing
- sorryExpressing regret or apology
- apologeticExpressing regret for wrongdoing
- penitentOne showing remorse
- repentantFeeling sorrow for misdeeds
contrite · rueful · ashamed · guilt-ridden · compunctious · chagrined · conscience-stricken · sheepish
Sadly longing for something
- nostalgicLonging for the past
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- piningAching with prolonged desire
melancholic · bittersweet · sentimental · misty-eyed · homesick · reminiscent · rueful · sighing
Casting back light
- introspectiveExamining one's own mind
- contemplativeInclined to deep thought
- meditativeInclined toward deep reflection
- thoughtfulShowing careful consideration
brooding · ruminative · pensive · soul-searching · philosophical · pondering · musing · backward-looking
Compensation for wrongdoing
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
reparation · amends · expiation · redemption · absolution · forgiveness · apology · confession
Severely emotionally distressed
- heartbrokenOverwhelmed with grief
- grief-strickenOverwhelmed by profound loss
- tormentedSubjected to severe distress
- painedExpressing suffering or displeasure
distressed · distraught · wounded · afflicted · crushed · stricken · bereaved · suffering
remorseful
Feeling guilt for wrongdoing
- sorryExpressing regret or apology
- apologeticExpressing regret for wrongdoing
- penitentOne showing remorse
repentant · contrite · rueful · ashamed · guilt-ridden · compunctious · chagrined · conscience-stricken · sheepish · mortified
wistful
Sadly longing for something
pining · melancholic · bittersweet · sentimental · misty-eyed · homesick · reminiscent · rueful · sighing · daydreaming
reflective
Casting back light
- introspectiveExamining one's own mind
- contemplativeInclined to deep thought
- meditativeInclined toward deep reflection
thoughtful · brooding · ruminative · pensive · soul-searching · philosophical · pondering · musing · backward-looking · second-guessing
atonement
Compensation for wrongdoing
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
penance · reparation · amends · expiation · redemption · absolution · forgiveness · apology · confession · mea culpa
anguished
Severely emotionally distressed
- heartbrokenOverwhelmed with grief
- grief-strickenOverwhelmed by profound loss
- tormentedSubjected to severe distress
pained · distressed · distraught · wounded · afflicted · crushed · stricken · bereaved · suffering · tortured
- apologiessorry, forgive me, my mistake, mea culpa, sincere apology
- humilityhumbleness, humble, meekness, modesty, modest
- sadnesssad, unhappy, grief, sorrowful, heartbroken
regretfulunrepentant
Feeling no remorse
remorseless · impenitent · unapologetic · shameless · unregretful