Wish undone crossword clue appears often in puzzles like Newsday and Thomas Joseph. Solvers encounter this clue when they need a word that means to feel regret or wish something had not happened. The common answer fits three letters and relates directly to feeling remorse. Puzzles use this clue because it tests knowledge of synonyms for sorrow over past actions. Many players search for it during daily crosswords. Context from surrounding clues helps confirm the fit. This straightforward clue rewards those who think about emotions like repentance.
Quick Answer
Wish undone crossword clue points to RUE. This three-letter word means to bitterly regret an action. It fits perfectly in grids where the clue seeks a synonym for remorse. Recent puzzles, including Newsday in 2025, confirm RUE as the top answer.
TL;DR
- Check the letter count first—3 letters usually means RUE.
- 4 letters? Try RUED.
- Look for intersecting letters to confirm.
- Think synonyms for “regret” like repent or bemoan.
- Common in quick crosswords and dailies.
- Practice similar clues to spot patterns fast.
Common 3-Letter Answers
Many puzzles use short, snappy words for this clue. Here are typical fits.
• RUE fits perfectly when the grid has three spaces.
• You might see it in daily quick solves.
• It captures that feeling of wanting to take something back.
• Often crosses with common letters like U or E.
• A go-to for editors in compact grids.
• Appears frequently in American-style puzzles.
• Simple yet elegant synonym for regret.
• Works well in themed or untimed solves.
• Easy to remember for repeat clues.
• Popular in Newsday and similar publications.
• Helps fill corners quickly.
• Timeless entry in crossword databases.
• Reliable for beginners learning regret themes.
• Often the top-ranked solution.
• Matches the clue’s concise phrasing.
• Versatile across different puzzle difficulties.
4-Letter Variations
When the clue stretches to past tense or adds letters, these come up often.
• RUED is the classic for “wished undone.”
• It shows up over 20 times in tracked puzzles.
• Perfect for expressing deep remorse.
• Common in USA Today archives.
• Fits grids needing a vowel-heavy word.
• Strong match for repentance themes.
• Seen in Pat Sajak and other themed sets.
• Reliable in mid-week difficulties.
• Helps with intersecting longer entries.
• Frequent in historical clue databases.
• Solid choice for regret synonyms.
• Appears in Chronicle of Higher Education puzzles.
• Easy to confirm with crossing words.
• Popular in Wall Street Journal varieties.
• Timeless and straightforward.
• Great for building puzzle momentum.
Longer Answers and Alternatives
Some puzzles get creative with more letters for added challenge.
• REPENT captures wishing something undone fully.
• REGRET spells out the feeling directly.
• BEMOAN adds a layer of complaint.
• DEPLORE for stronger disapproval.
• BEWAIL evokes dramatic sorrow.
• LAMENT expresses ongoing wish to reverse.
• ATONED implies making amends after regret.
• SORROW shows emotional depth.
• REMORSE for intense self-blame.
• CONTRITE feeling genuinely sorry.
• PENITENT seeking forgiveness.
• WOEFUL full of misery over actions.
• CHAGRIN mild embarrassment turned regret.
• ANGUISH deep emotional pain.
• TORMENT ongoing mental suffering.
• HEARTACHE emotional wish undone.
Tips for Solving Regret Clues
These hints often tie into themes of remorse or reversal. Use these strategies.
• Start with letter count—it’s key.
• Think French: “rue” means street but also regret.
• Check for past tense like “wished.”
• Cross-reference with down clues.
• Common vowels: U, E dominant.
• Avoid proper names unless specified.
• Look for bitter or feel-bad synonyms.
• Practice with daily puzzles.
• Use online trackers for history.
• Note frequency in specific publications.
• Build vocabulary around emotions.
• Spot patterns in quick vs cryptic.
• Confirm with multiple sources.
• Enjoy the “aha” moment.
• Keep a clue notebook handy.
Recent Puzzle Examples
This clue keeps appearing in 2025 puzzles. Here’s context from fresh ones.
• Newsday March 16, 2025: Solved as RUE.
• Ongoing in Thomas Joseph quicks.
• Variations in daily celebrities.
• Tracked over 20 appearances.
• Common in Sept 2023 Newsday.
• Seen in 2018 USA Today.
• Frequent in code letter puzzles.
• Appears in higher education chronics.
• Wall Street Journal Fridays.
• NY Sun throwbacks.
• Consistent across years.
• Reliable for streak maintenance.
• Helps in timed challenges.
• Great for learning synonyms.
• Builds confidence in themes.
• Evergreen clue favorite.
Similar Clues to Watch For
Expand your skills with these related hints.
• “Feel regret” often overlaps.
• “Bitterly regret” points same way.
• “Wish reversed” variation.
• “Repent for” similar intent.
• “Feel remorse” direct match.
• “Bemoan one’s actions.”
• “Deplore deeply.”
• “Lament a choice.”
• “Have second thoughts.”
• “Rue the day.”
• “Wish it never happened.”
• “Feel sorry about.”
• “Regret profoundly.”
• “Be contrite.”
• “Seek to undo.”
• “Experience remorse.”
Why This Clue Endures
Regret is a universal theme, making it puzzle-perfect.
• Short words fit grids easily.
• Strong synonym ties.
• Versatile tenses.
• Emotional resonance.
• Teaches vocabulary.
• Balances difficulty.
• Appears across publishers.
• Timeless human experience.
• Pairs with other emotions.
• Encourages deeper thinking.
• Satisfying to solve.
• Builds solver intuition.
• Common in American crosswords.
• Reliable filler entry.
• Sparks “of course” moments.
• Enduring favorite.
Variations by Puzzle Type
Quick vs full-size can change answers.
• Quick: Prefers RUE.
• Daily: Often RUED.
• Themed: Longer like REGRET.
• Cryptic: Playful twists.
• Mini: Short only.
• Weekend: More alternatives.
• Vintage: Classic forms.
• Modern: Fresh spins.
• Online: Instant checks.
• Print: Pencil-friendly.
• App-based: Hint options.
• Competitive: Speed matters.
• Casual: Enjoy process.
• Group: Discuss options.
• Solo: Personal triumph.
• Learning: Great starter.
Advanced Solver Strategies
Take your game further with these.
• Memorize top synonyms.
• Track personal history.
• Use anagram tools sparingly.
• Study clue frequencies.
• Note editor styles.
• Practice daily.
• Join solver communities.
• Analyze past grids.
• Spot intersecting patterns.
• Build emotional word banks.
• Embrace the challenge.
• Celebrate correct guesses.
• Learn from misses.
• Expand related vocab.
• Enjoy variety.
• Stay persistent.
Historical Appearances
This clue has longevity across decades.
• Over 20 tracked spots.
• 2025 Newsday inclusion.
• 2023 recent hits.
• 2018 multiple papers.
• 2017 USA Today.
• 2016 Newsday.
• 2011 education puzzles.
• 2010 appearances.
• 2008 WSJ.
• 2007 NY Sun.
• Consistent through years.
• Database staple.
• Solver familiar.
• Pattern recognizer.
• Confidence booster.
• Puzzle heritage.
Related Emotion Clues
Branch out to similar themes.
• Joy opposites help contrast.
• Anger synonyms.
• Sadness words.
• Fear expressions.
• Love regrets.
• Envy wishes.
• Pride falls.
• Guilt feelings.
• Shame avoidance.
• Relief after undo.
• Forgiveness seeks.
• Acceptance moves on.
• Growth from regret.
• Wisdom gained.
• Future better.
• Life lessons.
Tools and Resources
Helpful aids without spoiling fun.
• Online solvers for checks.
• Clue databases.
• Frequency trackers.
• Anagram helpers.
• Synonym finders.
• Puzzle apps.
• Daily subscriptions.
• Community forums.
• History logs.
• Pattern analyzers.
• Vocabulary builders.
• Timed practice.
• Group challenges.
• Personal journals.
• Enjoyment focus.
• Skill sharpening.
Beginner Tips
New to this clue? Start here.
• Don’t overthink short ones.
• Try RUE first for 3 letters.
• Sound it out.
• Fill crossings.
• Guess and check.
• Learn as you go.
• No shame in looking up.
• Builds over time.
• Fun part of puzzling.
• Common early clue.
• Quick win potential.
• Encourages persistence.
• Vocabulary grows.
• Confidence rises.
• Enjoy discovery.
• Keep going.
Intermediate Techniques
Level up your approach.
• Anticipate tenses.
• Spot publisher patterns.
• Memorize frequencies.
• Cross-confirm quickly.
• Theme awareness.
• Vowel placement.
• Common endings.
• Synonym clusters.
• Emotional context.
• Grid position clues.
• Balance speed accuracy.
• Reduce erasures.
• Flow improvement.
• Streak building.
• Challenge increase.
• Greater satisfaction.
Expert Insights
For seasoned solvers.
• Instant recognition.
• Variant prediction.
• Editor style knowledge.
• Rare alternative spotting.
• Theme integration.
• Grid efficiency.
• Mental database.
• Teaching others.
• Puzzle appreciation.
• Historical context.
• Evolution noting.
• Innovation welcoming.
• Community contributing.
• Lifelong enjoyment.
• Mastery feeling.
• Ongoing challenge.
Fun Facts About the Clue
Lighthearted notes on its popularity.
• Universal regret theme.
• Short and sweet.
• French word play.
• Emotional depth.
• Frequent repeater.
• Solver “aha” classic.
• Versatile tenses.
• Grid friendly.
• Vocabulary teacher.
• Timeless appeal.
• Cross-publisher star.
• Database regular.
• Beginner friendly.
• Expert quick.
• Puzzle staple.
• Enduring charm.
FAQs
What is the most common answer for “wish undone” crossword clue?
The top answer is RUE (3 letters), a direct synonym for regret. It fits most quick puzzles and appeared recently in Newsday.
How many letters are in the usual solutions?
Commonly 3 (RUE) or 4 (RUED). Longer ones like REGRET (6) appear in bigger grids.
Has “wish undone” appeared in recent 2025 puzzles?
Yes, notably in Newsday on March 16, 2025, where the answer was RUE.
Are there other words that mean the same as “wish undone”?
Yes, including repent, bemoan, deplore, and lament, depending on letter count.
Why does this clue show up so often?
It’s a concise way to clue regret synonyms, which are short, common words that fit grids easily.
Is “wish undone” the same as “wished undone”?
Similar, but “wished undone” often takes past tense like RUED (4 letters).
Where can I find more examples of this clue?
Check databases like Crossword Tracker or Wordplays for historical appearances across publications.
Conclusion
Wish undone crossword clue leads solvers to RUE, a reliable three-letter entry for remorse. Players often spot it quickly once they link the clue to feelings of regret. This clue builds vocabulary around repentance and sorrow. Next time you see it, fill in RUE with confidence. Try your next puzzle now.

Madison Reeves is a USA-based holiday and festival writer who brings energy, creativity, and cultural awareness to celebration messaging. From Christmas to Eid to New Year, Madison delivers modern, uplifting, and beautifully worded wishes for global audiences. Her background in creative writing and cultural content research ensures accuracy, warmth, and a welcoming tone in every message.