If you’re looking to diversify your language and avoid overusing the word “unfortunately,” you’re in the right place! Whether you’re writing an email, delivering a speech, or simply want to sound more polished in everyday conversation, using synonyms for “unfortunately” can make your communication more interesting and varied.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to a range of alternatives that can express similar sentiments, but with different tones and nuances. Let’s dive in and upgrade your vocabulary to sound more fluent, dynamic, and confident. Ready to explore new ways to say “unfortunately”? Keep reading.
Top List Of Other Ways to Say “Unfortunately”
- Regrettably: A Polite and Formal Alternative
- Sadly: Conveying Sympathy and Empathy
- It’s a Shame: A Casual and Conversational Way to Express Regret
- Unhappily: A Formal Expression of Disappointment
- Disappointingly: Emphasizing Unexpected Letdowns
- Unfortunately, It Seems: Softening Bad News with Uncertainty
- To My Regret: A Personal Touch in Delivering Disappointing News
- We’re Sorry to Report: A Professional Way to Deliver Bad News
- Alas: An Old-Fashioned but Poetic Expression of Regret
- Regrettably So: Emphasizing the Unwanted Outcome
- We Regret to Inform You: A Formal Way to Share Bad News
- Sadly Enough: A Casual and Empathetic Way to Express Regret
- I’m Afraid: A Polite and Indirect Way to Deliver Bad News
- In This Instance: Delivering Regret with Specificity
- Unfortunately, It Appears: Introducing Uncertainty with a Negative Outcome
- I Must Report: A Professional and Direct Way to Communicate Disappointment
- With Regret: A Straightforward Way to Convey Disappointment
- Sadly, We Must Inform You: A Formal Yet Compassionate Expression
- Under Less Than Ideal Circumstances: Explaining Disappointment with Context
- As Much as I Wish It Were Otherwise: Expressing Personal Regret
- It’s with Great Disappointment: Conveying Deep Regret in Formal Settings
- Unfortunately, the Situation Is: Directly Acknowledging Unfavorable Circumstances
1. Regrettably
“Regrettably” is a formal and polite way to express bad news. It softens the delivery, making it more considerate and respectful.
Example Email:
Subject: Update on Your Request
Hi Leo,
Regrettably, I must inform you that the meeting you requested for this week will have to be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and will be in touch to reschedule at the earliest opportunity.
Best regards, Henry
Addition: “Regrettably” works well in formal emails, particularly when you want to maintain a professional tone while still delivering disappointing news.
2. Sadly
“Sadly” is a slightly more emotional word than “unfortunately,” adding a sense of empathy or sympathy.
Example Email:
Subject: Event Cancellation
Dear Leo,
Sadly, we have to cancel the upcoming event scheduled for next month due to a sudden change in circumstances. We understand this might be disappointing, and we will keep you updated on any future events.
Kind regards, Henry
Addition: “Sadly” is ideal when you want to convey genuine disappointment in a more personal or empathetic way.
3. It’s a Shame
This phrase communicates regret but in a more casual, conversational tone. It’s often used when the situation feels unfortunate but not critical.
Example Email:
Subject: Status Update
Hi Leo,
It’s a shame, but I won’t be able to attend the conference next week as planned. There have been some unexpected conflicts with my schedule, and I need to make some adjustments.
I hope we can catch up soon! Henry
Addition: “It’s a shame” is more informal and works well in personal emails or when speaking to someone you have a close relationship with.
4. Unhappily
This word is another formal alternative that works similarly to “regrettably” but with a slight emphasis on the negative feeling involved.
Example Email:
Subject: Delay in Shipment
Hi Leo,
Unhappily, we have experienced a delay in the shipment of your order. We are working hard to resolve this and will notify you as soon as your items are ready for delivery.
Thank you for your patience, Henry
Addition: “Unhappily” is somewhat formal and slightly old-fashioned. It’s useful when writing professional emails that require a touch of formality without sounding cold.
5. Disappointingly
“Disappointingly” is a direct alternative to “unfortunately,” often used when the outcome was expected to be positive but turned out negative.
Example Email:
Subject: Project Status
Dear Leo,
Disappointingly, the project we were hoping to launch this week will be delayed due to unforeseen challenges. I assure you that we are doing everything we can to resolve the issues quickly.
Best regards, Henry
Addition: Use “disappointingly” when you need to emphasize that something fell short of expectations. It’s a great way to express disappointment in a factual yet empathetic manner.
6. Unfortunately, It Seems
This phrase is a great alternative when you want to present something as less certain or more speculative.
Example Email:
Subject: Update on Your Inquiry
Hi Leo,
Unfortunately, it seems that we won’t be able to provide the detailed report you requested by the deadline. We are still working on it and will send it over as soon as possible.
Thanks for your understanding, Henry
Addition: “Unfortunately, it seems” can be useful when the situation is still unfolding and you want to soften the impact by making it sound like a possibility rather than a certainty.
7. To My Regret
This phrase is often used in more formal or professional communication. It adds a personal touch by acknowledging that you, too, regret the outcome.
Example Email:
Subject: Cancellation Notice
Dear Leo,
To my regret, the scheduled meeting for tomorrow has been canceled due to unforeseen issues. I will reach out to reschedule at a more convenient time.
Kind regards, Henry
Addition: “To my regret” is slightly more formal and is perfect for business settings where you need to express your own personal disappointment.
8. We’re Sorry to Report
This phrase is often used in business and news contexts. It’s a professional way to share bad news and indicates that you are delivering the information on behalf of a group or organization.
Example Email:
Subject: Update on Project
Hi Leo,
We’re sorry to report that the launch of the new product will be delayed due to supply chain issues. We’re actively working on resolving the situation and will update you with a revised timeline shortly.
Best, Henry
Addition: This expression is often used when delivering news on behalf of a team or organization. It carries a tone of professionalism and accountability.
9. Alas
“Alas” is an old-fashioned and somewhat poetic term. It adds a dramatic flair and conveys a deeper sense of sorrow or disappointment.
Example Email:
Subject: Delayed Response
Dear Leo,
Alas, I must inform you that I am unable to respond to your email sooner due to a personal emergency. I will make it a priority to get back to you as soon as I can.
Warm regards, Henry
Addition: “Alas” is typically used in very formal or literary contexts. It’s not as commonly used in everyday communication, but it can work well in creative or emotional writing.
10. Regrettably So
This variation adds emphasis to the regret you are expressing, often used when the situation seems unavoidable.
Example Email:
Subject: Application Update
Hi Leo,
Regrettably so, your application was not successful this time. We were impressed with your credentials, but we have decided to move forward with another candidate. We will keep your details on file for future opportunities.
Best wishes, Henry
Addition: “Regrettably so” helps underscore the feeling of regret, especially when the outcome feels final and there is little room for negotiation.
11. We Regret to Inform You
This phrase is often used in formal business communication when informing someone of a negative outcome, such as in a rejection letter.
Example Email:
Subject: Job Application Status
Dear Leo,
We regret to inform you that after careful consideration, we will not be proceeding with your application for the position. We thank you for your interest and wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
Best regards, Henry
Addition: “We regret to inform you” is commonly used in official correspondence, such as job rejections, application denials, and other formal announcements.
12. Sadly Enough
This phrase is a casual and empathetic way to express regret. It can be used in less formal settings to soften bad news.
Example Email:
Subject: Change of Plans
Hi Leo,
Sadly enough, I won’t be able to join you for dinner tomorrow night as I have a last-minute work commitment. I was looking forward to it, and I hope we can reschedule soon.
Best, Henry
Addition: Use “sadly enough” when you want to convey personal regret in a more relaxed or conversational tone.
13. I’m Afraid
“I’m afraid” is a polite, often apologetic way of delivering bad news. It is more indirect and makes the speaker sound less harsh.
Example Email:
Subject: Conference Update
Dear Leo,
I’m afraid that due to budget constraints, we won’t be able to approve the additional funding you requested for the conference. Please let me know if you need any further information.
Best, Henry
Addition: “I’m afraid” is often used in both formal and informal situations to soften the impact of disappointing information.
14. In This Instance
This phrase is useful when the negative news pertains to a specific case or scenario, making it sound less general.
Example Email:
Subject: Request Status
Hi Leo,
In this instance, we will not be able to approve your request for an extension, as the project timeline has already been finalized. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Kind regards, Henry
Addition: “In this instance” is useful when you want to convey that the decision is case-specific and not necessarily reflective of future situations.
15. Unfortunately, It Appears
This phrase conveys a sense of doubt, suggesting that the situation could still change.
Example Email:
Subject: Delivery Status
Dear Leo,
Unfortunately, it appears that the shipment will not arrive on the expected date due to a delay in processing. We will keep you updated as soon as we receive further information.
Best regards, Henry
Addition: This phrase helps to soften the bad news by implying that the situation could still change, making it a useful option when you are uncertain about the outcome.
16. I Must Report
This phrase is often used when you need to inform someone about an undesirable situation, especially in a more formal context.
Example Email:
Subject: Business Update
Hi Leo,
I must report that due to unforeseen circumstances, the launch date for the new product has been postponed. We will update you once we have more information.
Best regards, Henry
Addition: “I must report” is formal and conveys authority, making it well-suited for professional or corporate communications.
17. With Regret
This is a straightforward phrase that directly conveys disappointment. It’s slightly more formal than simply saying “regrettably.”
Example Email:
Subject: Travel Plans
Hi Leo,
With regret, I must cancel our plans to meet this weekend due to an unexpected work commitment. I hope we can reschedule for a later date.
Best regards, Henry
Addition: “With regret” is best used in formal communications, where you want to convey professionalism while also expressing your personal disappointment.
18. Sadly, We Must Inform You
This phrase is often used in official communication, especially when notifying someone of a decision that they won’t like.
Example Email:
Subject: Meeting Update
Dear Leo,
Sadly, we must inform you that the meeting scheduled for next week will not take place due to a scheduling conflict. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Best regards, Henry
Addition: This phrase is useful in situations where an official or formal tone is required, and it emphasizes the sense of regret.
19. Under Less Than Ideal Circumstances
This expression provides a more detailed explanation for the bad news, suggesting that things didn’t go as planned.
Example Email:
Subject: Delay Notice
Hi Leo,
Under less-than-ideal circumstances, the shipment of your order has been delayed. We are actively working to resolve the issue and will keep you posted.
Best, Henry
Addition: “Under less than ideal circumstances” provides context for the negative news, making it useful when you want to explain why things went wrong.
20. As Much as I Wish It Were Otherwise
This phrase is often used to convey personal regret, especially when you want to express that the situation is unfortunate.
Example Email:
Subject: Update on Your Proposal
Dear Leo,
As much as I wish it were otherwise, we are unable to approve your proposal at this time due to budget constraints. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to exploring other opportunities together in the future.
Best regards, Henry
Addition: This expression is best used when you want to communicate a strong sense of personal regret about the outcome.
21. It’s with Great Disappointment
This is a slightly more formal way to convey the sense of disappointment in a situation.
Example Email:
Subject: Application Update
Hi Leo,
It’s with great disappointment that we have to inform you that we are unable to move forward with your application. We greatly appreciate the time and effort you put into your submission.
Best regards, Henry
Addition: This phrase is best used in formal or professional communication when you want to convey deep regret.
22. Unfortunately, the Situation Is
This is a more direct way of explaining a negative outcome, emphasizing that the situation is beyond your control.
Example Email:
Subject: Change of Plan
Hi Leo,
Unfortunately, the situation is such that we won’t be able to proceed with the project as initially planned. I will follow up with any alternative solutions.
Best regards, Henry
Addition: Use this phrase when you want to be transparent and clear about the limitations of the situation.
By incorporating these alternatives into your communication, you can convey bad news with more nuance and variety. Whether you are writing a formal email, a professional message, or speaking casually with friends, you now have a wide range of options to express regret and disappointment without overusing the word “unfortunately.”
