rueful

/'ru:ful/
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Thân thiện
rueful

He gave a rueful smile after realizing his mistake.

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Feeling or expressing sorrow, regret, or penitence: Describes a state of being or a look that shows sadness, often mixed with a sense of having done wrong or missed an opportunity.
    • Causing, feeling, or expressing sorrow or pity: Can describe something that inspires a feeling of sorrowful compassion.
Usage

The adjective "rueful" is used to describe a person's expression, smile, laugh, tone, or manner when they are acknowledging a mistake, a loss, or an unfortunate situation, often with a touch of wry humor or self-deprecation. It is not typically used for deep, overwhelming grief but rather for a quieter, more reflective sadness.

Examples

  • Describing an expression or look: He gave a rueful smile when he realized his error.She shot him a rueful glance after the joke fell flat.

  • Describing a tone or admission: "I should have listened to you," he said with a rueful sigh.Her rueful laughter indicated she knew how foolish she had been.

  • Describing a feeling or situation: He was rueful about the opportunities he had missed in his youth.The team's rueful acceptance of their defeat showed their maturity.

Advanced Usage
  • "rueful amusement": A common collocation describing a mixed feeling of regret and seeing the ironic or slightly funny side of a situation.
Variants and Related Words
  • Rue (verb): To bitterly regret (a past action or event) and wish it undone.
  • Ruefully (adverb): In a rueful manner.
Synonyms
  • Regretful: Feeling sad or disappointed about something that has happened or been done.
  • Contrite: Feeling or expressing remorse at the recognition that one has done wrong.
  • Penitent: Feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentant.
  • Wry: Using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor (often overlaps with "rueful" when describing a smile or comment).
Antonyms
  • Unrepentant: Not feeling or expressing regret for one's wrongdoings.
  • Cheerful: Noticeably happy and optimistic.
Idioms and Phrases
  • A rueful smile/grin/laugh: The most common idiomatic construction, describing a smile that shows mild regret or acknowledgment of a folly.
rueful

He gave a rueful smile after realizing his mistake.

Adjective
  1. feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses

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