The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word RUING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
R
U
I
N
G
More clues leading to the result RUING
- Sorry about official decision that excludes fifty
- One breaking step showing remorse
- Contrite, I step outside
- Having second thoughts about toupee, staying at home
- Regretting exercising authority without latitude
- Deploring sort of turn in a circus?
- Demolish east wing of building in a sorry state
- Feeling bad about head of government upon downfall
- Being sorry for government after collapse …
- Regretting batting wearing toupee
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "in a sorry state" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case in a sorry state = ruing.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does RUING mean?
RUING verb- To cause to repent of sin or regret some past action.
- To cause to feel sorrow or pity.
- To repent of or regret (some past action or event); to wish that a past action or event had not taken place.
- To feel compassion or pity.
- To feel sorrow or regret.