verb / noun

rue

ROO/ruː/

Deep regret or sorrow over something.

He rues cutting the photograph as he tries to rejoin it.

A man bitterly regrets cutting up a photograph of himself and his partner: with tears and a painfully clenched expression, he tries to fit the cut halves back together beside the scissors.

Etymology

Hreowan originally meant to cause someone grief or regret. Blended partly with a verb meaning “feel pain or sorrow,” it developed the modern focus on feeling regret oneself.

In context

fusmadison66:32

we choose to express regret rather than remorse we rue the outcome but not necessarily the deed itself

January 28 @ 11am - Worship Service - "True Contrition"

More examples

She rued the decision.
They are ruing the delay.
A feeling of rue followed.

Forms

rue · rues · rued · ruing · rueing

rueful adjective — expressing sorrow or regret

Similar words

regret: The ordinary broad equivalent.
lament: Expresses sorrow, not necessarily remorse.