rueful
adjective
[ ˈruːfʊl ]
• expressing sorrow or regret, especially in a wry or humorous way.
• "she gave a rueful grin"
Similar:
sorrowful,
regretful,
apologetic,
sorry,
remorseful,
shamefaced,
sheepish,
hangdog,
contrite,
repentant,
penitent,
conscience-stricken,
self-reproachful,
woebegone,
woeful,
sad,
melancholy,
mournful,
compunctious,
Origin:
Middle English (also in the sense ‘pitiable’): from the noun rue1 + -ful.
