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Wistful vs Rueful - What's the difference?

wistful | rueful |

As adjectives the difference between wistful and rueful

is that wistful is full of yearning or longing while rueful is causing, feeling, or expressing regret or sorrow.

wistful

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • full of yearning or longing
    • His eyes grew wistful as he recalled his university days.
  • sad and thoughtful

    • Synonyms

    * (thoughtful sadness) (l)

    References

    rueful

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Causing, feeling, or expressing regret or sorrow.
  • Inspiring pity or compassion.

    • Derived terms

    * rue-bargain * ruefully * ruefulness

    Related terms

    * rue