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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Example Sentences

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

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 The Cubs will rue the extra-inning opportunities more than any other on Saturday. — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rue

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rue

Noun

Those patterns eventually point to no-regrets moves and larger strategic shifts.

— Dev Patnaik, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Amid the chatter about comeuppance, the celebrity blogger’s sister said that her brother is a good person who has expressed regret over the tone of some of his early-career scandals.

— Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of regret

Noun

But what ultimately saves the film is Hathaway's remarkable restraint in conveying Kym's deep pain and remorse over an unimaginable family tragedy.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2026
Visits by Japanese leaders frequently draw criticism from China and South Korea, which see them as a sign of insufficient remorse for Japan’s wartime aggression.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of remorse

Noun

Four suspects pleaded guilty, including mastermind David Voss, and Benji admitted guilt and had his case administered through a First Nations restorative justice program, while charges against two were dropped, CityNews notes.

— Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Paxton did not have to admit guilt, but was required to pay $300,000 in restitution and complete community service.

— Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of guilt

Noun

Meizlish told the Washington Examiner that prior attempts to shame countries doing business with Iran, including China, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, had fallen flat.

— Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026
And that's a shame, because the US could arguably use more cars like this, not fewer.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of rue

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