RUEFUL: Synonyms and Related Words. What is Another Word for RUEFUL?

Need another word that means the same as “rueful”? Find 12 synonyms and 30 related words for “rueful” in this overview.

The synonyms of “Rueful” are: contrite, remorseful, ruthful, sorrowful, regretful, apologetic, sorry, shamefaced, sheepish, hangdog, repentant, penitent

Rueful as an Adjective

Definitions of "Rueful" as an adjective

According to the Oxford Dictionary of English, “rueful” as an adjective can have the following definitions:

• Expressing sorrow or regret, especially in a wry or humorous way.
• Feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses.

Synonyms of "Rueful" as an adjective (12 Words)

apologetic	Expressing or showing regretful acknowledgement of an offence or failure. An apologetic note.
contrite	Feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses. A contrite tone.
hangdog	Frightened into submission or compliance. The hangdog look of a condemned man.
penitent	Feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds. A penitent expression.
regretful	Feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone. Regretful over mistakes she had made.
remorseful	Feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses. The defendant was remorseful for what he had done.
repentant	Expressing or feeling sincere regret and remorse; remorseful. He is truly repentant for his incredible naivety and stupidity.
ruthful	Full of compassion or pity; compassionate; merciful. Also as noun (with the with plural agreement): those people who are compassionate or merciful.
shamefaced	Showing a sense of guilt- Eric Linklater. Cheerfully bearing reproaches but shamefaced at praise.
sheepish	Like or suggestive of a sheep in docility or stupidity or meekness or timidity. A sheepish grin.
sorrowful	Feeling or showing grief. A sorrowful tale of death and despair.
sorry	Feeling regret or penitence. I felt sorry for the poor boys working for him.

Usage Examples of "Rueful" as an adjective

• She gave a rueful grin.

Associations of "Rueful" (30 Words)

apologetic	Constituting a formal defence or justification of a theory or doctrine. She was very apologetic about the whole incident.
apologize	Acknowledge faults or shortcomings or failing. We apologize to him for our error.
atonement	The act of atoning for sin or wrongdoing (especially appeasing a deity. He submitted his resignation as an act of atonement.
bemoan	Express discontent or sorrow over (something. It was no use bemoaning her lot.
compunction	A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad. They used their tanks without compunction.
confess	Confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed usually under pressure. I damaged your car she confessed.
confession	The religious body or Church sharing a confession of faith. She still had not been to confession.
confessor	A priest who hears confessions and gives absolution and spiritual counsel. If one prisoner confesses and implicates the other the confessor will go free as a reward.
contrite	Feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses. A contrite tone.
contrition	The state of feeling remorseful and penitent. Prayers of contrition.
culprit	A person who is responsible for a crime or other misdeed. The car s front nearside door had been smashed in but the culprits had fled.
forgive	Stop blaming or grant forgiveness. I was willing to forgive all her faults for the sake of our friendship.
penance	Impose a penance on. He had done public penance for those hasty words.
penitence	Remorse for your past conduct. A public display of penitence.
penitent	Feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds. A penitent expression.
penitential	Relating to or expressing penitence or penance. Wrote a penitential letter apologizing for her hasty words.
regret	Express with regret. I always regretted that I never trained.
regretful	Feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone. Felt regretful over his vanished youth.
regretfully	With regret (used in polite formulas. He sighed regretfully.
remorse	A feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed. They were filled with remorse and shame.
remorseful	Feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses. The defendant was remorseful for what he had done.
repent	Turn away from sin or do penitence. He repented of his action.
repentance	The action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse. Each person who turns to God in genuine repentance and faith will be saved.
repentant	Expressing or feeling sincere regret and remorse; remorseful. He is truly repentant for his incredible naivety and stupidity.
rue	Bitterly regret (something one has done or allowed to happen) and wish it undone. Tears of pitying rue.
sceptic	A person who doubts the truth of Christianity and other religions; an atheist.
scruple	Raise scruples. He lied and did not even scruple about it.
sin	Commit a sin violate a law of God or a moral law. The human capacity for sin.
sinner	A person who sins (without repenting. God forgives repentant sinners.
sorry	Feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone. A sorry excuse.