Expressing Regret and Sadness: English Vocabulary List

to cry out loudly and mournfully, often expressing grief, pain, or intense sorrow

"The mourners wailed at the funeral."

"The mourners wailed loudly at the funeral expressing their deep grief and sorrow for the loss."

to express deep sorrow or grief, often accompanied by loud cries or mournful sounds

"The poem bewails the loss of innocence."

"The poem bewails the loss of innocence in a world filled with corruption and cruelty."

(religious) to make up for a sin by feeling sorry, asking for forgiveness, and trying to do better

"He tried to atone for his mistakes."

"He tried to atone for his past mistakes by dedicating his life to helping others in need."

to feel regret or sorrow for something

"I rue the day I lied."

"I rue the day I decided to lie because the consequences have been far worse than I ever imagined."

to verbally express deep sadness over a loss or unfortunate situation

"The song laments a lost love."

"The song laments a lost love and expresses the singer's deep regret for ending the relationship."

to take back a statement or belief, especially publicly

"The witness recanted his previous testimony."

"The witness decided to recant his previous testimony after admitting that he had lied to protect his friend."

to fail to keep hope

"Do not despair when things go wrong."

"Do not despair when things go wrong because every problem has a solution if you look hard enough."

to cry loudly while making repeated, short gasping sounds, often due to intense emotions such as sadness or grief

"The child sobbed after falling down."

"The child sobbed uncontrollably after falling off his bicycle and scraping his knee on the pavement."

to feel extremely discouraged, disheartened, or in low spirits

"She desponded after losing her job."

"She desponded after losing her job and spent several weeks feeling hopeless about her future career prospects."

expressing or experiencing deep regret or guilt because of a wrong act that one has committed

"He looks contrite."

"The child looked contrite after breaking the vase and he apologized sincerely to his mother promising that he would be more careful in the future."