ruefully
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.
"Let's hope maybe next year will be a better year for me," Sabalenka said ruefully.
From Barron's ● Jan. 31, 2026
This last comment came from a fellow traveler, ruefully disclosing an act of self-defense many years ago.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 9, 2025
As he stands in the rain, Mr Colton adds ruefully: "My gran thinks I'm mad."
From BBC ● Nov. 12, 2025
Those now nursing massive losses on Fiserv’s stock may ruefully agree, although the president presumably meant listeners to understand Bisignano as having fixed messes rather than having created them.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2025
I startle at the sound of a voice, and then squint into darkness to make out a neighbor leaning out her front door, drying her hands on a dish towel and smiling ruefully in apology.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
Vocabulary lists containing ruefully
The Outsiders
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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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Lord of the Flies
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