What does rueing mean?
Rueing means regretting or feeling sorrow over something done, chosen, experienced, or lost in the past. As the present participle of the verb rue, it commonly appears with an object, as in “rueing the consequences” or “rueing a decision.” The word can describe an immediate feeling of regret or a longer reflection on a past event. It is used in British and American English and may sound somewhat literary, especially when connected with serious mistakes, losses, or consequences. Rueing is especially useful when the focus is on the emotional aftermath of an action rather than simply the intention to do something again. It is also sometimes written “ruing,” an accepted alternative spelling that should not be confused with a separate word.
verbRueing is the present participle of rue, meaning to regret or feel sorrow over a past action, choice, experience, or loss.
- Present participle of rue: regretting or feeling sorrow over a past action, choice, experience, or loss.
"She spent the evening rueing the decision to ignore the warning."
"The retired captain spent years rueing the battle that had cost his men their lives."
"By then, he was rueing his impulsive decision to leave the country."
Rueing is the sound of hindsight: the moment a mistake looks different after it can no longer be changed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How rueing is actually used
Rueing is common in both British and American English and often has a reflective or slightly literary tone. It is typically used as a present participle, including in phrases that express regret about consequences, decisions, or past experiences.
Easily confused with rueing
Ruing is an alternative spelling of the present participle of rue; both forms mean regretting or sorrowing over something.