rueful

Examples

• All

• "If Mary is taken aback by this rather un-English question, she reveals nothing beyond a rueful smile.

  Fiction book (1999)

• I asked, "What brought you to Celat?" and he looked rueful: "Love."

  Fiction book (1999)

• I have the feeling you did the job for him," Peter managed a rueful smile.

  Fiction book (1991)

• "Silly," my mother would have said, with a rueful shake of her head.

  Blog text (29)

• "His look was rueful as he added: "When I ran, I tripped over a pig.

  Fiction book (2000)

• " Now his smile turned rueful, and, of course, so boyishly appealing.

  Fiction book (1994)

• "You know what?" Ruth said, her painted lips twisted in a rueful smile.

  Fiction book (1998)

• "And my suit was finally dry," Goren said to Lenora, a rueful smile on his face.

  Fiction book (1995)

• "Her smile was both apologetic and rueful as Sarah bent down and hugged her."

  Fiction book (1992)

• Now he faced Congressman Jintz and Senator Lambertino and gave them a rueful smile.

  Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

S

sorry

vsrueful

∞ 1.0

Feeling regret for something you did

is similar but can cover milder or casual regret as well

A

ashamed

vsrueful

504 1.0

Feeling embarrassed and guilty about something you did or failed to do

is mainly regret or sorrow rather than embarrassment or shame

R

remorseful

vsrueful

18 4.6

Feeling very sorry for doing something that hurt someone

is broader, including regret that is not only about wrongdoing

M

mournful

vsrueful

18 3.9

Feeling deep sadness because of a loss

is focused on regretful feeling rather than grief alone

W

wistful

vsrueful

17 6.5

Feeling sad and thoughtful while remembering the past

is more directly about regret or remorse than yearning

S

sorrowful

vsrueful

14 3.6

Feeling very sad because of loss or disappointment

is more about regret or remorse rather than general sadness

C

contrite

vsrueful

13 8.1

Feeling very sorry for doing something wrong and wanting forgiveness

is broader and may include milder regret or simple sorrow

R

regretful

vsrueful

9 2.9

Feeling sorry for something you did or said

is broader, including remorse or sorrow, not only regret

R

repentant

vsrueful

8 4.8

Feeling sorry about something you did and wanting to make it right

is more general, not always implying sincere moral change

D

doleful

vsrueful

3 8.2

Feeling or showing deep sadness

is about regret or remorse, not just general sorrowful tone

S

shamed

vsrueful

1 4.4

Feeling guilty and embarrassed after doing something wrong or being caught

is about personal regret or sorrow without public disgrace

R

ruthful

vsrueful

• Archaic

9.9

Feeling sorry or showing pity, often for harm you caused

is focused more on regret and personal sorrow than pity

A

apologetical

vsrueful

7.2

Showing that you are sorry for something

is more general, not only about wanting to repair a relationship

Antonyms

U

unrepentant

18 7.5

Not feeling sorry for something and not wanting to change

How Regretful

contrite

13 8.1

remorseful

18 4.6

regretful

9 2.9

rueful

5 7.8

sorry

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology