Regretted being verbally abusive (4)
I believe the answer is:
rued
'regretted' is the definition.
('rue' can be a synonym of 'regret')
'verbally abusive' is the wordplay.
'verbally' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'abusive' becomes 'rude' (rude can mean abusive or insulting).
'rude' sounds like 'RUED'.
'being' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for rued that I've seen before include "'Regretted, repented (4)'" , "Was contrite about" , "Bitterly regretted" , "was remorseful" , "Was sorry" .)