Synonyms of the word

rueful

• adj. Causing, feeling, or expressing regret or sorrow.
• adj. Inspiring pity or compassion.

contrite

• adj. Sincerely penitent or feeling regret or sorrow, especially for one’s own actions; apologetic.
• adj. (obsolete) Thoroughly bruised or broken.
• n. A contrite person; a penitent.

penitent

• adj. Feeling pain or sorrow on account of sins or offenses; repentant; contrite; sincerely affected by a sense…
• adj. Doing penance.
• n. One who repents of sin; one sorrowful on account of his or her transgressions.
• n. One under church censure, but admitted to penance; one undergoing penance.
• n. One under the direction of a confessor.

remorseful

• adj. (of a person) Feeling or filled with remorse.
• adj. Expressing or caused by remorse.

repentant

• adj. Feeling or showing sorrow for wrongdoing.
• n. One who repents; a penitent.

ruthful

• adj. Full of sorrow; sorrowful; woeful; rueful.
• adj. Causing pity; piteous.
• adj. Full of ruth or pity; merciful; compassionate.