to feel sorry about something you have done or about something that you have not been able to do

used to say in a polite or formal way that you are sorry or sad about a situation

The airline regrets any inconvenience.

The president said that his country deeply regretted the incident.

The United States regrets the loss of innocent civilian lives.

I regret that I am unable to accept your kind invitation.

I very much regret that I cannot be with you this evening.

We regret to inform you that your application has not been successful.

I regret to say that we cannot let you have the picture.

It is to be regretted that so many young people leave school without qualifications.

a sad feeling because of something that has happened or something that you have done or not done

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