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ruefully

/ˈruːfəli/ /ˈruːfʊli/

Meanings
adverb
In a rueful manner; causing, feeling or expressing regret or sorrow.

Examples :

"He pushed his straw hat back, scratched his head, and laughed ruefully."
emotion attitude character

Related Words

Illustration straw

straw noun

/stɹɔː/ /stɹɔ/

A dried stalk of a cereal plant.

"The farmer used the dry straw to insulate the chicken coop. "

Illustration pushed

pushed verb

/pʊʃt/

To apply a force to (an object) such that it moves away from the person or thing applying the force.

"In his anger he pushed me against the wall and threatened me."

Illustration rueful

rueful adjective

/ˈruːfəl/ /ˈruːfʊl/

Causing, feeling, or expressing regret or sorrow, especially in a wry or humorous way.

"After accidentally spilling coffee on his boss's new shirt, Mark gave a rueful smile and apologized profusely. "

Illustration feeling

feeling verb

/ˈfiːlɪŋ/ /ˈfilɪŋ/

(heading) To use or experience the sense of touch.

"The baby was feeling the soft fur of the teddy bear. "

Illustration scratched

scratched verb

/skɹæt͡ʃt/

To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.

"Could you please scratch my back?"

Illustration regret

regret noun

/ɹiˈɡɹɛt/

Emotional pain on account of something done or experienced in the past, with a wish that it had been different; a looking back with dissatisfaction or with longing.

"My biggest regret is not studying harder for the history exam. "

Illustration back

back noun

/bæk/

The rear of the body, especially the part between the neck and the end of the spine and opposite the chest and belly.

"Could you please scratch my back?"

Illustration sorrow

sorrow noun

/ˈsɔɹoʊ/ /ˈsɒɹəʊ/ /ˈsɑɹoʊ/

Unhappiness, woe

"The student felt a deep sorrow after failing the important exam. "

Illustration manner

manner noun

/ˈmænə/ /ˈmænɚ/

Mode of action; way of performing or doing anything

"My sister learned to write in a very careful manner. "

Illustration laughed

laughed verb

/lɑːft/ /læft/

To show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up of the face and eyes, and usually accompanied by the emission of explosive or chuckling sounds from the chest and throat; to indulge in laughter.

"There were many laughing children running on the school grounds."

Illustration expressing

expressing verb

/ɛk.ˈspɹɛsɪŋ/

To convey or communicate; to make known or explicit.

"Words cannot express the love I feel for him."

Illustration causing

causing verb

/ˈkɔzɪŋ/ /ˈkɑzɪŋ/

To set off an event or action.

"The lightning caused thunder."