rueful

• Traurig oder reuevoll, oft in milder, leiser oder leicht humorvoller Weise; drückt Bedauern oder sanfte Selbstironie aus.

Expressing sorrow or regret, often in a gentle or humorous way.

1. Regretful or sorrowfulC1formal

   Feeling or showing regret, remorse, or sadness, often with a touch of humor.

   Reuevoll

   • He gave a rueful smile after realizing his mistake.
   • She felt rueful about the harsh words she had spoken.
   • His rueful expression showed he understood the consequences.

   Synonymeapologeticcontriteguiltypenitentregretfulremorsefulrepentantsorrowfulsorry

   Antonymecheerfuldelightedgladhappyjoyful