15 Other Ways to Say “Unfortunately” (With Examples)

Using unfortunately every time you deliver bad news makes your communication sound repetitive and unfeeling, whether you’re in a professional or personal setting. This overuse makes it hard to convey true empathy when it matters most. That’s why mastering Other Ways to Say Unfortunately is essential. This guide provides a full spectrum of better words and phrases, from formal business language to casual, empathetic alternatives, ensuring your tone is always precise and professional.

What Is a Better Way to Say Unfortunately?

1. Regrettably
2. I’m sorry to say
3. Sadly
4. To our disappointment
5. It pains me to say
6. Much to our regret
7. With regret
8. I’m afraid
9. Disappointingly
10. Alas
11. It’s unfortunate that
12. We’re sorry to inform you
13. To my chagrin
14. It grieves me to say
15. Unhappily

1. Regrettably

This formal phrase expresses reluctance, serving as a dignified alternative to unfortunately. It’s ideal for business letters or official notices, with a courteous tone that respects. Regrettably maintains professionalism, making it polished and measured. Compared to the standard word, it’s more refined and traditional, perfect for high-stakes communication.

Example: Suppose a hotel cancels a reservation. You could write: “Regrettably, we are overbooked.” Picture the guest reading on a phone, suitcase already packed.

Example: Imagine you’re declining a proposal. You write: “Regrettably, we must pass.” Visualize the sender sighing, inbox refreshing.

2. I’m sorry to say

This personal phrase softens the blow, acting as an empathetic substitute for unfortunately. It’s great for one-on-one talks or support roles, with a compassionate tone that connects. I’m sorry to say adds warmth, making it human and kind. Compared to the standard word, it’s more relational and apologetic, ideal for sensitive delivery.

Example: Suppose a teacher returns a failed test. You could say: “I’m sorry to say you didn’t pass.” Picture red marks circled, student’s shoulders dropping.

Example: Imagine you’re texting a friend about rain. You write: “I’m sorry to say the picnic is off.” Visualize umbrellas up, sandwiches soggy.

3. Sadly

This concise phrase conveys sorrow, offering a brief alternative to unfortunately. It’s perfect for speeches or social media, with a somber tone that mourns. Sadly packs emotion, making it poignant and direct. Compared to the standard word, it’s more emotional and compact, great for quick updates.

Example: Suppose a charity reports low donations. You could write: “Sadly, we fell short.” Picture goal thermometer stuck, team regrouping.

Example: Imagine you’re announcing a pet’s passing. You say: “Sadly, Whiskers is gone.” Visualize a collar on the table, tears falling.

4. To our disappointment

This collective phrase shares the letdown, serving as a team-oriented substitute for unfortunately. It’s ideal for companies or groups, with an inclusive tone that unites. To our disappointment distribution felt making it collaborative and honest. Compared to the standard word, it’s more shared and corporate, perfect for joint statements.

Example: Suppose a product launch is delayed. You could write: “To our disappointment, it’s postponed.” Picture banners half-hung, launch party rescheduled.

Example: Imagine you’re updating investors. You write: “To our disappointment, profits dipped.” Visualize charts flatlining, boardroom quiet.

5. It pains me to say

This heartfelt phrase shows personal hurt, acting as a dramatic alternative to unfortunately. It’s great for mentors or close relationships, with a pained tone that empathizes. It pains me to say, deepens sincerity, making it emotional and vulnerable. Compared to the standard word, it’s more personal and intense, ideal for trusted bonds.

Example: Suppose a coach benches a player. You could say: “It pains me to say you’re out.” Picture jersey folded, locker room echoing.

Example: Imagine you’re ending a friendship. You write: “It pains me to say we’re done.” Visualize a letter sealed, mailbox closing.

Related Post: 15 Other Ways to Say “I Don’t Care” (With Examples)

6. Much to our regret

This formal phrase amplifies remorse, offering an elevated substitute for unfortunately. It’s perfect for legal or diplomatic contexts, with a weighty tone that apologizes. Much to our regret, heightens gravity, making it solemn and official. Compared to the standard word, it’s more emphatic and institutional, great for accountability.

Example: Suppose an airline cancels a flight. You could write: “Much to our regret, it’s grounded.” Picture tarmac empty, passengers rerouted.

Example: Imagine you’re retracting a statement. You write: “Much to our regret, it was incorrect.” Visualize press release drafted, corrections bolded.

7. With regret

This classic phrase signals sorrow, serving as a timeless alternative to unfortunately. It’s ideal for invitations or resignations, with a graceful tone that bows. With regret keeps elegance, making it courteous and final. Compared to the standard word, it’s more ceremonial and concise, perfect for closures.

Example: Suppose you decline a wedding invite. You could write: “With regret, I cannot attend.” Picture RSVP card checked, envelope stamped.

Example: Imagine you’re resigning. You write: “With regret, I submit my notice.” Visualize desk cleared, farewell email sent.

8. I’m afraid

This gentle phrase cushions bad news, acting as a soft substitute for unfortunately. It’s great for customer service or Brits, with a hesitant tone that eases. I’m afraid it builds anticipation, making it polite and indirect. Compared to the standard word, it’s more conversational and tentative, ideal for live interactions.

Example: Suppose a waiter runs out of cake. You could say: “I’m afraid we’re sold out.” Picture menu closed, disappointed faces turning.

Example: Imagine you’re on a call about delivery. You say: “I’m afraid it’s delayed.” Visualize tracking map frozen, customer nodding.

9. Disappointingly

This descriptive phrase highlights letdown, offering an evaluative alternative to unfortunately. It’s perfect for reviews or feedback, with a critical tone that assesses. Disappointingly adds judgment, making it candid and reflective. Compared to the standard word, it’s more opinion-based and analytical, great for honesty.

Example: Suppose a movie flops. You could write: “Disappointingly, it underperformed.” Picture box office quiet, posters peeling.

Example: Imagine you’re grading an essay. You write: “Disappointingly, it lacks depth.” Visualize margins filled, grade circled.

10. Alas

This poetic phrase laments fate, serving as a literary substitute for unfortunately. It’s ideal for storytelling or theater, with a dramatic tone that sighs. Alas evokes old tales, making it expressive and wistful. Compared to the standard word, it’s more archaic and artistic, perfect for flair.

Example: Suppose a quest fails. You could write: “Alas, the treasure was lost.” Picture map torn, campfire dimming.

Example: Imagine you’re narrating a diary. You write: “Alas, rain ruined the day.” Visualize ink smudging, window streaked.

Related Post: 15 Other Ways to Say “He Said” (With Examples)

11. It’s unfortunate that

This explanatory phrase sets up cause, acting as a structured alternative to unfortunately. It’s great for reports or teaching, with a logical tone that clarifies. It’s unfortunate that it frames the context, making it clear and educational. Compared to the standard word, it’s more clause-based and formal, ideal for detail.

Example: Suppose a project misses the deadline. You could write: “It’s unfortunate that supplies arrived late.” Picture warehouse delayed, timeline redrawn.

Example: Imagine you’re explaining grades. You say: “It’s unfortunate that effort wasn’t consistent.” Visualize report card handed, notes taken.

12. We’re sorry to inform you

This official phrase delivers news, offering a corporate substitute for unfortunately. It’s perfect for rejection letters or alerts, with a standardized tone that notifies. We’re sorry to inform you that protocols regret, making it procedural and distant. Compared to the standard word, it’s more template-like and institutional, great for mass communication.

Example: Suppose a college denies admission. You could write: “We’re sorry to inform you of the decision.” Picture envelope thick, dreams paused.

Example: Imagine you’re sending a recall notice. You write: “We’re sorry to inform you of the defect.” Visualize products boxed, returns processed.

13. To my chagrin

This self-aware phrase admits frustration, serving as a personal alternative to unfortunately. It’s ideal for confessions or humor, with a wry tone that winces. To my chagrin adds personality, making it relatable and candid. Compared to the standard word, it’s more introspective and literary, perfect for storytelling.

Example: Suppose you forget a birthday. You could say: “To my chagrin, I missed it.” Picture calendar unmarked, gift rushed.

Example: Imagine you’re blogging a fail. You write: “To my chagrin, the cake sank.” Visualize oven mitts dropped, photo snapped.

14. It grieves me to say

This deep phrase conveys sorrow, acting as a solemn substitute for unfortunately. It’s great for eulogies or ethics, with a mournful tone that aches. It grieves me to say touches the heart, making it profound and respectful. Compared to the standard word, it’s more emotional and formal, ideal for gravity.

Example: Suppose a leader announces cuts. You could say: “It grieves me to say jobs are lost.” Picture podium gripped, room silent.

Example: Imagine you’re writing a condolence. You write: “It grieves me to say he’s gone.” Visualize black attire, flowers wilting.

15. Unhappily

This understated phrase notes discontent, offering a subtle alternative to unfortunately. It’s perfect for minimalism or Brits, with a restrained tone that frowns. Unhappily keeps it light, making it modest and dry. Compared to the standard word, it’s more adverbial and reserved, great for understatement.

Example: Suppose a plan changes. You could write: “Unhappily, we must cancel.” Picture whiteboard erased, team dispersing.

Example: Imagine you’re reporting the weather. You say: “Unhappily, it’s storming.” Visualize windows rattling, plans shelved.

Conclusion

Don’t let a single, boring word ruin your difficult message. When you use the right language instead of generic terms, you show respect and understanding, even when delivering bad news. Use this list of Other Ways to Say Unfortunately to handle every tough conversation with clarity and tact. Discover more ways to perfect your voice and your message at the Other Ways To Say homepage.