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Meaning of ruefully
The primary meaning of the word "ruefully" is to feel or express regret or sorrow.
Etymology of ruefully
The word "ruefully" has its roots in the verb "rue," which originated from Old French "ruer" or "reuer," and further from Latin "rugire," meaning to roar or bellow, but in English, it took on the sense of to regret or lament.
Synonyms
regretfully
sorrowfully
remorsefully
repentantly
disappointedly
disheartenedly
despondently
gloomily
morosely
mournfully
plaintively
pitifully
sadly
sorely
unhappily
woefully
wistfully
longingly
yearningly
melancholically
depressingly
dismal
glumly
somberly
mournfully
lamentably
pitilessly
heartbreakingly
heartbreaking
dolorously
dolorously
dolefully
Definitions
- Used to express regret or sadness about something
- * Feeling or showing regret or sorrow for something
Usage Examples
- She looked at the old photograph ruefully, remembering the happy times that would never come back.
- * He thought ruefully about the opportunities he had missed in his life.
Antonyms
joyfully
happily
cheerfully
gladly
blissfully
ecstatically
elatedly
euphorically
triumphantly
victoriously
proudly
smugly
self-satisfiedly
complacently
contentedly
peacefully
serenely
calmly
quietly
silently
still
untroubled
unruffled
undisturbed