rueful
Showing sorrowful remorse
Rueful describes a feeling of regret mixed with wry acceptance or mild amusement at one's own foolishness or misfortune.
A rueful smile acknowledges a mistake without deep anguish.
A rueful laugh admits you should have known better.
The word suggests self-awareness about one's predicament rather than bitter remorse: He gave a rueful shake of his head when he realized he'd locked his keys in the car.
Feeling sorrow over actions
- remorsefulFeeling guilt for wrongdoing
- sorryExpressing regret or apology
- apologeticExpressing regret for wrongdoing
- contriteFeeling guilt over misdeeds
chagrined · sheepish · hangdog · self-reproach · compunction · repentant · second-guessing · if only
Longing for the past
- wistfulSadly longing for something
- bittersweetWistful yet warm
- longingIntense, persistent desire
- yearningIntense prolonged craving
poignant · melancholy · pensive · sentimental · aching · tender · sigh · sweet sorrow
Emotionally low
- mournfulShowing or feeling grief
- dolefulExpressing deep sorrow
- woefulExtremely sad or pitiful
- forlornSad and abandoned
dejected · somber · downhearted · grieving · heavy-hearted · tearful · disconsolate · crestfallen
Expressing contrary meaning
- wryDryly mocking in tone
- sardonicGrimly mocking
- deprecatingExpressing disapproval or belittlement
- sheepishEmbarrassed and timid
humble · chastened · acknowledging · self-aware · knowing · resigned · good-humored · dry humor
regretful
Feeling sorrow over actions
- remorsefulFeeling guilt for wrongdoing
- sorryExpressing regret or apology
- apologeticExpressing regret for wrongdoing
contrite · chagrined · sheepish · hangdog · self-reproach · compunction · repentant · second-guessing · if only · hindsight
nostalgic
Longing for the past
- wistfulSadly longing for something
- bittersweetWistful yet warm
- longingIntense, persistent desire
yearning · poignant · melancholy · pensive · sentimental · aching · tender · sigh · sweet sorrow · looking back
sad
Emotionally low
forlorn · dejected · somber · downhearted · grieving · heavy-hearted · tearful · disconsolate · crestfallen · despondent
ironic
Expressing contrary meaning
- wryDryly mocking in tone
- sardonicGrimly mocking
- deprecatingExpressing disapproval or belittlement
sheepish · humble · chastened · acknowledging · self-aware · knowing · resigned · good-humored · dry humor · half-smile
- apologiessorry, forgive me, my mistake, mea culpa, sincere apology
- guiltguilty, guilt trip, guilty conscience, remorseful, contrition
- sadnesssad, unhappy, grief, sorrowful, heartbroken
- tones of voicedismissive, patronizing, condescending, mocking, sneering
- Apology wordsapology, oops, excuse me, pardon me, my bad
ruefulunrepentant
Feeling no remorse
remorseless · unapologetic · impenitent · defiant · unremorseful
ruefultriumphant
Joyfully victorious
exultant · jubilant · elated · euphoric · exhilarated