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.

"In one day," he says, with a rueful smile.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

So he decides to keep appearing in clubs to tell tales of his relationship woes, lacing the commentary with rueful remarks that are vaguely comic, though nothing he says is actually funny.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

Their catch-up turns into a rueful airing out of long-simmering resentments in a way that shakes Jay to his core, confirming some of his own worst suspicions about himself.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2025

While he enjoys the craftmanship, he admits with a rueful smile that he has still not learned to play the piano himself.

From BBC • Aug. 25, 2025

He looked away and laughed, rueful and uneasy.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin