ruthful

[ rooth-fuhl ]

adjective

1. compassionate or sorrowful.
2. causing or apt to cause sorrow or pity.
3. feeling remorse or self-reproach.

ruthful

/ ˈruːθfʊl /

adjective

1. archaic.
   full of or causing sorrow or pity

Derived Forms

• ˈruthfully, adverb
• ˈruthfulness, noun

Other Words From

• ruthful·ly adverb
• ruthful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ruthful¹

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; ruth, -ful

Example Sentences

Jones stood close at my elbow, with a face as festive now as it was ruthful not long before.

From Project Gutenberg

Sad was the man that word to hear that him so heavied in bowels ruthful.

From Project Gutenberg