What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Resent vs Regret - What's the difference?

resent | regret |

In obsolete terms the difference between resent and regret

is that resent is to give forth an odor; to smell; to savor while regret is dislike; aversion.

As verbs the difference between resent and regret

is that resent is to express or exhibit displeasure or indignation at (words or acts) while regret is to feel sorry about (a thing that has or has not happened), afterthink: to wish that a thing had not happened, that something else had happened instead.

As a noun regret is

emotional pain on account of something done or experienced in the past, with a wish that it had been different; a looking back with dissatisfaction or with longing.

resent

English

(Webster 1913)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) resentir (Modern ressentir), from

Verb

(en verb)
  • To express or exhibit displeasure or indignation at (words or acts).
  • * Bolingbroke
  • The good prince King James bore dishonourably what he might have resented safely.
  • To feel resentment.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)
  • , chapter=2 citation , passage=Mother very rightly resented the slightest hint of condescension. She considered that the exclusiveness of Peter's circle was due not to its distinction, but to the fact that it was an inner Babylon of prodigality and whoredom,
  • (obsolete) To be sensible of; to feel.
  • (obsolete) In a positive sense, to take well; to receive with satisfaction.
  • * Sir (Thomas Browne) (1605-1682)
  • which makes the tragical ends of noble persons more favorably resented by compassionate readers.
  • (obsolete) In a negative sense, to take ill; to consider as an injury or affront; to be indignant at.
  • (obsolete) To recognize; to perceive, especially as if by smelling; -- associated in meaning with sent, the older spelling of scent to smell. See resent (intransitive verb).
  • * Fuller
  • This bird of prey resented a worse than earthly savour in the soul of Saul.
  • * Fuller
  • Our King Henry the Seventh quickly resented his drift.
  • (obsolete) To give forth an odor; to smell; to savor.
  • Etymology 2

    See resend.

    Verb

    (head)
  • (resend)
  • The package was resent , this time with the correct postage.

    Anagrams

    * English heteronyms

    regret

    English

    (wikipedia regret)

    Verb

    (regrett)
  • To feel sorry about (a thing that has or has not happened), afterthink: to wish that a thing had not happened, that something else had happened instead.
  • *
  • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=4 , passage=Judge Short had gone to town, and Farrar was off for a three days' cruise up the lake. I was bitterly regretting I had not gone with him when the distant notes of a coach horn reached my ear, and I descried a four-in-hand winding its way up the inn road from the direction of Mohair.}}
  • (more generally) To feel sorry about (any thing).
  • Usage notes

    This is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (the (-ing) form), except in set phrases with tell, say, and inform, where the to infinitive is used. See

    Derived terms

    * regretter

    Noun

  • Emotional pain on account of something done or experienced in the past, with a wish that it had been different; a looking back with dissatisfaction or with longing.
  • * Macaulay
  • What man does not remember with regret the first time he read Robinson Crusoe ?
  • * Clarendon
  • Never any prince expressed a more lively regret for the loss of a servant.
  • * Washington Irving
  • From its peaceful bosom [the grave] spring none but fond regrets and tender recollections.
  • (obsolete) Dislike; aversion.
  • See also

    * remorse * repentance