rueful
adjective
causing sorrow or pity; pitiable; deplorable.
ruefulness
-
a word derived from
rueful.
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.
He regards his son with suspicion, defiance, anguish, ruefulness and fear.
From New York Times ● May 24, 2023
June, who is rail-thin and lanky, with the physique of a long jumper, recalls his years at the academy with the ruefulness of an athlete forced to wait on the sidelines.
From The New Yorker ● Jul. 15, 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
Constance lowered her hands and looked at Reynie with a mixture of ruefulness and irritation.
From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart
