Regretting

/rɪˈɡrɛtɪŋ/ verb

Definition

Feeling sorry about something you did or didn't do in the past, wishing you could change it.

Etymology

From Old French 'regreter,' possibly from Scandinavian roots meaning 'to weep again.' The 're-' prefix means 'again,' suggesting a repeated feeling of sorrow.

Kelly Says

Psychologists find that people rarely regret actions they took—they regret inactions more, leading many to live by the 'no regrets' philosophy because doing something is usually less painful than wondering 'what if?'

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