RUE Synonyms: 52 Similar and Opposite Words

rue 1 of 2

noun

Definition of rue

as in regret

a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing a soul filled with pain and rue

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rue

2 of 2

verb

ˈrü

as in to regret

to feel sorry or dissatisfied about I rue the day I agreed to this stupid plan

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of rue

Noun

Sometimes the case for war’s inevitability is couched in expressions of rue and reluctance. — Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025 Native Son Hunter Brown Got Away From Tigers The Tigers rue that Brown got away. — John Perrotto, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

Verb

It’s often suggested that managers hate these types of chaotic games, but the wonderful thing about this encounter was that the men on the sideline weren’t ruing the lack of control. — Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2026 The home fans were ruing the injuries to David Hancko and Jose Maria Gimenez, and a suspension for Marc Pubill, which saw Simeone turn to him for such a huge game. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rue

Noun

Shauf quit drinking in 2020, and while The Party contains its fair share of drunken regret, alcohol is a more central subject on the afterparty’s other two outtakes.

— Lily Goldberg, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
At the same time, Harris, closer in age to his part than the women, moves and sounds like the old cowboys, with an affecting note of sorrow — the lion dying, and dying with regrets — sounding throughout his performance.

— Sara Holdren, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of regret

Noun

Prosecutors, who say the men haven’t expressed any remorse, have asked federal district judge Valerie Caproni to sentence all the men to life in prison.

— Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
Jacobs spoke with reporters earlier this week, expressing remorse for his actions.

— Ryan Morik OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of remorse

Noun

But he was plagued by guilt over his ancestor’s role in the trials, and felt compelled to explore themes of human character, greed, and social decay through his work.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
As Fielder’s initially firm belief in Holmes’ guilt and manipulative powers appears to waver, Seyfried wonders if Fielder is in some way falling for her.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of guilt

Noun

She is obsessed with her closet, the organization of which puts even Kim to shame.

— Jonathan Van Meter, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
In a May 2023 Instagram post, Allen apologized to Gale for having an affair and acknowledged that his choices brought shame and humiliation to his family.

— Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of shame

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rudiments

rue

rued

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“Rue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rue. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of rue

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