ˈrüthfəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English rewtheful, routheful, rutheful, from rewthe, routhe, ruthe pity + -ful — more at ruth
1. : full of ruth : pitiful , tender
had never known a woman so ruthful — Budd Schulberg
2. : full of sorrow : woeful , rueful
a ruthful smile — Times Literary Supplement
3. : causing sorrow
• ruth·ful·ness noun -es