Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Schumer is pregnant with their first child, and also pregnant with an indistinct ruefulness.

From The New Yorker • Mar. 20, 2019

Usually, “the winning number is about twenty,” adding with mock ruefulness: “they’re merciless, my girls.”

From Washington Post • Jan. 2, 2019

“They changed 95% of it,” Mr. Berney says without ruefulness.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 8, 2018

In the title role, the mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke sings with both warmth and a barely concealed backbone of steel, and projects ruefulness and the tiniest touch of humor.

From New York Times • Nov. 19, 2017

“Don’t I know it,” he said with a kind of happy ruefulness.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson