← Dictionary

hedonic-regret

/hɛˌdɒn.ɪk rɪˈɡret/
IELTSAcademic
noun

A feeling of sadness or disappointment after choosing something for pleasure. It often happens when the short-term enjoyment is over. The person may then wish they had chosen differently.

  • I felt hedonic regret after buying the expensive gadget.
  • The holiday gave me hedonic regret the next week.
  • She avoided hedonic regret by saving her money.

Adinary Nuance

Hedonic-regret is more specific than regret. It is regret after a pleasure choice, not regret about any mistake or loss. It is also close to buyer's remorse, but hedonic-regret can sound more academic and may focus on pleasure versus long-term value.

In other languages

Vietnamese
hối tiếc vì hưởng thụ
Spanish
arrepentimiento placentero
Chinese
享乐后悔
Japanese
快楽後悔
Korean
쾌락 후회

Etymology

This word combines Greek hedone, meaning 'pleasure', with regret, from Old French and Latin roots. It is a modern academic term used in psychology and consumer behavior.

Common phrases

hedonic regretfeel hedonic regretavoid hedonic regret

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is hedonic-regret a common word?
No, it is mostly used in academic writing, especially psychology and marketing.
Is hedonic-regret the same as buyer's remorse?
They are close, but buyer's remorse is more common and more general.
How do I use hedonic-regret in a sentence?
Use it like a noun: 'He felt hedonic regret after the shopping spree.'