20 Best Similes for Regret (With Meanings & Examples)

Regret, an emotion as deep and complex as the ocean, often washes over us with a tide of reflection and melancholy. It’s a feeling that intertwines with our experiences, sometimes subtly, other times overwhelmingly.

In this piece, we explore 20 similes that articulate the nuanced shades of regret, each offering a window into the soulful depths of this all-too-human emotion. Join us as we navigate these evocative expressions and gain insight into the world of regret.

Similes for Regret

1. As Regretful as a Missed Opportunity

Meaning: A sense of lost potential

Example: He felt as regretful as a missed opportunity for not taking the job offer.

2. Regret like a Bitter Pill

Meaning: Unpleasant but necessary

Example: Apologizing was regret like a bitter pill, hard to swallow but essential.

3. As Regretful as a Forgotten Memory

Meaning: Sad and nostalgic

Example: She was as regretful as a forgotten memory, mourning the moments that slipped away.

4. Regret like a Fading Echo

Meaning: Lingering and haunting

Example: His words left regret like a fading echo, resonating long after he was gone.

5. As Regretful as a Wilting Flower

Meaning: Gently sorrowful

Example: Watching the summer end was as regretful as a wilting flower, beautiful yet melancholic.

6. Regret like a Burnt Bridge

Meaning: Irreversible and impactful

Example: The argument felt like regret like a burnt bridge, damaging and irreversible.

7. As Regretful as a Forgotten Promise

Meaning: Guilty and remorseful

Example: He was as regretful as a forgotten promise, wishing he could turn back time.

8. Regret like a Heavy Chain

Meaning: Burdensome and restraining

Example: The past mistakes were regret like a heavy chain, weighing her down.

9. As Regretful as a Fading Photograph

Meaning: Diminishing and sad

Example: The old house stood as regretful as a fading photograph, a remnant of better days.

10. Regret like an Unfinished Symphony

Meaning: Incomplete and yearning

Example: His abrupt departure left her feeling regret like an unfinished symphony, incomplete and longing.

11. As Regretful as a Cold Fireplace

Meaning: Empty and mournful

Example: The empty room echoed as regretful as a cold fireplace, devoid of warmth.

12. Regret like a Spilled Inkwell

Meaning: Messy and irreversible

Example: The sudden decision brought regret like a spilled inkwell, chaotic and permanent.

13. As Regretful as a Setting Sun

Meaning: Ending and reflective

Example: The day’s end came as regretful as a setting sun, a time for reflection.

14. Regret like a Torn Page

Meaning: Damaged and incomplete

Example: The misunderstanding left their friendship regret like a torn page, fragmented and incomplete.

15. As Regretful as a Distant Storm

Meaning: Brewing and ominous

Example: The looming deadline was as regretful as a distant storm, inevitable and foreboding.

16. Regret like a Wilted Bouquet

Meaning: Faded and sorrowful

Example: The end of the affair was regret like a wilted bouquet, once vibrant, now sorrowful.

17. As Regretful as a Whispered Secret

Meaning: Private and haunting

Example: Her confession was as regretful as a whispered secret, quiet yet profound.

18. Regret like a Closed Door

Meaning: Final and unchangeable

Example: His departure felt like regret like a closed door, final and unyielding.

19. As Regretful as an Echoing Hallway

Meaning: Resonant and empty

Example: The abandoned project was as regretful as an echoing hallway, full of potential, now empty.

20. Regret like a Waning Moon

Meaning: Diminishing and distant

Example: The lost friendship felt like regret like a waning moon, once bright, now fading away.

Related:

Similes for Red

Similes for “Apologize”

Similes for Regret