regrets
Wishes things different
Regrets are feelings of sorrow or disappointment about something that happened or failed to happen: I have no regrets about leaving that job.
The word often appears in formal contexts for declining invitations: She sends her regrets.
To have regrets is human; to live without them, rare.
Moral self-reproach
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- self-reproachBlaming oneself for wrongdoing
- compunctionUneasiness from guilt
penitence · anguish · repentance · self-condemnation · pangs · ruefulness · heartache · penance
Unintended wrong actions
- choicesAvailable options to pick
- consequencesResults of actions taken
- opportunitiesFavorable times to act
- missedFailed to reach
lost · memories · decisions · youth · chances · paths · moments · squandered
Observing one's own mind
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- hindsightRecognition after the fact
- reconsiderationRenewed evaluation of something
- self-examinationScrutiny of one's thoughts
rumination · brooding · musing · pondering · second-guessing · looking back · what-ifs · self-questioning
Intense, persistent desire
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- nostalgiaLonging for the past
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
- bittersweetWistful yet warm
pining · sentimental · ache · sigh · forlorn · wishful · if only · lament
Expressing regret or apology
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- mea culpaAcknowledgment of personal blame
reconciliation · admission · confession · acknowledgment · apologetic · concession · excuse · explanation
Request for reply
- raincheckDeferred offer acceptance
- cancellationVoiding of plans
- apologiesExpressions of regret
guilt
Moral self-reproach
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- self-reproachBlaming oneself for wrongdoing
compunction · penitence · anguish · repentance · self-condemnation · pangs · ruefulness · heartache · penance · absolution
mistakes
Unintended wrong actions
- choicesAvailable options to pick
- consequencesResults of actions taken
- opportunitiesFavorable times to act
missed · lost · memories · decisions · youth · chances · paths · moments · squandered · wasted
introspection
Observing one's own mind
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
- hindsightRecognition after the fact
- reconsiderationRenewed evaluation of something
self-examination · rumination · brooding · musing · pondering · second-guessing · looking back · what-ifs · self-questioning · deliberation
longing
Intense, persistent desire
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- nostalgiaLonging for the past
- melancholySubdued, lasting sadness
bittersweet · pining · sentimental · ache · sigh · forlorn · wishful · if only · lament · tristesse
sorry
Expressing regret or apology
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
mea culpa · reconciliation · admission · confession · acknowledgment · apologetic · concession · excuse · explanation · rectify
RSVP
Request for reply
- raincheckDeferred offer acceptance
- cancellationVoiding of plans
- apologiesExpressions of regret
- inner selfself, soul, psyche, inner being, true self
- life storyautobiography, memoir, early years, childhood, memories
- personalself, privacy, personal space, identity, name
- rejectionsno, rejection letter, refusal, denial letter, decline
- hidden thingssecrets, motives, agendas, subtext, undercurrents
- RSVP responsesyes, no, maybe, accept, decline
regretssatisfactions
States of fulfilled desire
contentment · pride · fulfillment · no regrets · joys
regretsjoys
Feelings of great pleasure
triumphs · accomplishments · successes · achievements · blessings
- no regretsComplete peace with decisions
- live to regretExperience future remorse
- regrets onlyReply only when declining
- send regrets
- I regretExpression of remorse
- with regretFeeling sorry afterward
regret, regretful, regrettable, regretting, regretted, regrettably, unregretted