rued
Wished undone later
Rued is the past tense of rue, meaning to feel regret or sorrow about something: She rued the day she ever trusted him.
The word carries a literary or old-fashioned tone, often appearing in the phrase rue the day, which suggests deep, lasting regret over a particular decision or moment.
Expressed grief vocally
- remorsefulFeeling guilt for wrongdoing
- regrettedFelt sorrow over past
- apologizedExpressed regret for offense
- contriteFeeling guilt over misdeeds
ashamed · repentant · sorrowful · chagrined · mortified · self-reproach · dismayed · abashed
Longing for the past
- melancholicInclined toward reflective sorrow
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- pensiveQuietly, sadly thoughtful
reflective · bittersweet · sentimental · mournful · poignant · brooding · plaintive · rueful
Moral self-reproach
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- pangsSudden sharp sensations
- sorrowDeep emotional distress
heartache · self-condemnation · chagrin · anguish · torment · conscience · regretful · gnawing
Compensation for wrongdoing
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
redemption · contrition · reconciliation · amends · expiation · reformation · pardon · forgiveness
lamented
Expressed grief vocally
- remorsefulFeeling guilt for wrongdoing
- regrettedFelt sorrow over past
- apologizedExpressed regret for offense
contrite · ashamed · repentant · sorrowful · chagrined · mortified · self-reproach · dismayed · abashed · compunction
nostalgic
Longing for the past
- melancholicInclined toward reflective sorrow
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
- longingIntense, persistent desire
pensive · reflective · bittersweet · sentimental · mournful · poignant · brooding · plaintive · rueful · sighing
guilt
Moral self-reproach
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- pangsSudden sharp sensations
sorrow · heartache · self-condemnation · chagrin · anguish · torment · conscience · regretful · gnawing · haunted
atonement
Compensation for wrongdoing
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
absolution · redemption · contrition · reconciliation · amends · expiation · reformation · pardon · forgiveness · restitution
- rue the dayFeel deep future remorse
- Rue MorgueCorpse-themed Paris lane