11
very upset
10
pitiful(adjective, upset, mean, moving, poor)
10
dismal(adjective, bad, sad, pain, sorrow)
10
grievous(adjective, bad, happy, sad, pain)
10
melancholy(adjective, blue, sad, pain, sorrow)
9
ashamed(adjective, regretful)
9
pitiable(adjective, upset, mean, moving, poor)
9
conscience-stricken(adjective, sad, unhappy, apologetic)
9
gloomy(adjective, bad, blue, sad, sorrow)
9
unhappy(adjective, upset, cut, hit, sad)
8
disconsolate(adjective, bad, blue, sad, sorrow)
8
pathetic(adjective, upset, mean, moving, poor)
8
piteous(adjective, mean, moving, poor, low)
8
woebegone(adjective, blue, happy, sad, depression)
8
heavy-hearted(adjective, bad, blue, sad, sorrow)
8
poor(adjective, mean, moving, low, sad)
7
afflictive(adjective, bad, sad, pain, sorrow)
7
despondent(adjective, blue, sad, depression, woe)
7
guilty(adjective, blameworthy)
7
plaintive(adjective, happy, sad, sorrow, depression)
11 years ago|10k views|share |citing 
APASmart Define. (2015). rueful thesaurus. Retrieved September 25, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/rueful/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "rueful thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/rueful/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 25, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, rueful thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 25 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/rueful/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "rueful thesaurus" 13 April 2015. Web. 25 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/rueful/thesaurus/synonyms>