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

It’s one of many smart, rueful asides in what amounts to a nonjudgmental cinematic essay on the increasingly atomized nature of contemporary living.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

“And then,” she says with a small, rueful laugh, “everything was really hard for the next 20 years.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 19, 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

Peeta shakes his head and gives me a rueful smile.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins