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rueful

[roo-fuhl] / ˈru fəl /


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 was,” Duffy said with a rueful laugh.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2025

The remark carries a delicate wisp of rueful irony.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 2, 2025

“Thank God it could never happen here,” Johnson says with a rueful laugh.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 30, 2025

They hated to see Lily go, but they were happy she was going off to college—though they’d never heard of Spelman, Lily added with a rueful smile on her face.

From "It All Comes Down to This" by Karen English




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