regretfulness
Wishing things different
Regretfulness is the state of feeling regret—a sorrowful wish that something had been different.
The word emphasizes the quality or condition of being regretful rather than a specific instance: She spoke with regretfulness about the years she'd wasted.
It's more abstract than regret itself, describing an ongoing disposition rather than a momentary pang.
Remorseful state over misdeeds
- penitenceRemorse for misdeeds
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
- compunctionUneasiness from guilt
- self-reproachBlaming oneself for wrongdoing
guilt · shame · atonement · penance · confession · amends · apology · expiation
Deep emotional distress
- sadnessState of emotional pain
- heartacheDeep emotional distress
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
- wistfulnessTender sadness for absence
bitterness · ruefulness · chagrin · heaviness · dejection · unhappiness · distress · anguish
Longing for the past
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- piningAching with prolonged desire
- wistfulnessTender sadness for absence
- longingIntense, persistent desire
reminiscence · homesickness · sentimentality · bittersweet · hindsight · memory · loss · missed opportunity
Observing one's own mind
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
- ponderingThinking deeply about something
self-examination · self-questioning · self-scrutiny · reconsideration · reassessment · hindsight · second-guessing · dwelling
contrition
Remorseful state over misdeeds
- penitenceRemorse for misdeeds
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
- compunctionUneasiness from guilt
self-reproach · guilt · shame · atonement · penance · confession · amends · apology · expiation · redemption
sorrow
Deep emotional distress
- sadnessState of emotional pain
- heartacheDeep emotional distress
- disappointmentSadness from unmet expectations
wistfulness · bitterness · ruefulness · chagrin · heaviness · dejection · unhappiness · distress · anguish · pain
nostalgia
Longing for the past
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- piningAching with prolonged desire
- wistfulnessTender sadness for absence
longing · reminiscence · homesickness · sentimentality · bittersweet · hindsight · memory · loss · missed opportunity · what-if
introspection
Observing one's own mind
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- ruminationProlonged, repetitive thinking
- broodingAnxiously dwelling on something
pondering · self-examination · self-questioning · self-scrutiny · reconsideration · reassessment · hindsight · second-guessing · dwelling · overthinking
regretfulnesscontentment
Peaceful satisfaction with circumstances
satisfaction · pride · fulfillment · gratification · self-satisfaction
regretfulnesspeace of mind
State without anxiety
serenity · acceptance · equanimity · tranquility · closure
regretfulnessunrepentance
Lack of remorse
remorselessness · impenitence · shamelessness · defiance · brazenness
regret, regretful, regrets, regrettable, regretting, regretted, regretfully, regrettably