Rueful (Adjective)
Meaning
Feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses.
Classification
All adjective clusters.
Examples
- With a rueful gaze, she gazed back at the days of reckless behavior that led her down the destructive path she was trying to overcome.
- After making amends for his dishonesty, he wore a rueful expression as he reflected on the harm his lies had caused.
- As he thought about his past misdeeds, a rueful attitude settled over him, mingling with the deep remorse that had been festering within.
- The former convict's words, tinged with a rueful sense of regret, filled the crowded lecture hall as she recounted the lessons learned from her time behind bars.
- A rueful tone crept into her voice as she confided to her sister about the embarrassment and guilt that still lingered from that long-ago mistake.