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

But the United States will rue this. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 20 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for rue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rue

Noun

The story follows two middle-aged people revisiting a relationship from more than two decades earlier, exploring regret and the possibility of moving on.

— Lin Ying-Hsuan, Variety, 8 Nov. 2026
There is no tension between expectation and reality, no concrete regret or achievement, no shift in perspective, nothing gained or lost.

— Vrinda Jagota, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of regret

Noun

Prosecutors urged a lengthy sentence based on Skroko’s criminal history and lack of remorse.

— Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
At the hearing, prosecutors argued for life in prison, citing the brothers’ decadeslong assaults of dozens of women (over 70 have come forward) and lack of remorse.

— Kim Velsey, Curbed, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of remorse

Noun

Of course, people were surprised that a 15-year-old boy wanted to tackle menstrual shame.

— Kamala Thiagarajan, NPR, 7 Nov. 2026
To join the tide of anti-intellectualism that refuses to take this seriously or rise to the challenge of doing so, as Tate has done with this exhibition, is a grave shame.

— Eliza Goodpasture, ARTnews.com, 6 Nov. 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 15 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of rue

noun

verb

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