Crossword Genius

Regretting destruction by force (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ruing

'regretting' is the definition.
('rue' can be a synonym of 'regret')

'destruction by force' is the wordplay.
'destruction' becomes 'ruin' (ruin is a kind of destruction).
'by' says to put letters next to each other.
'force' becomes 'G' (short for gravity).
'ruin'+'g'='RUING'

(Other definitions for ruing that I've seen before include "full of remorse?" , "Feeling sorry for" , "feeling remorse" , "Regretful" , "Bitterly regretting" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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