Pathetic: meaning, definitions and examples
😢
pathetic
[pəˈθɛtɪk ]
Definitions
feeling or expressing contempt or a low opinion of oneself
arousing pity, especially through vulnerability or sadness; marked by sorrow or melancholy; causing or evoking pity, sympathetic sadness, sorrow, or melancholy; deserving or inciting pity; expressing or arousing pity, sympathy, or sorrow; pitifully inadequate or ineffective
Synonyms
miserable, pitiful, sad, sorry, woeful.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| pathetic |
Used to describe something or someone that arouses pity, often with an implication of weakness or inferiority. It has a negative connotation.
|
| pitiful |
Describes someone or something that deserves or evokes pity. It often implies that the subject is weak or inadequate.
|
| miserable |
Used to describe someone or something extremely unhappy or uncomfortable. It often implies suffering and gloom.
|
| woeful |
Describes something or someone full of sorrow or misery. It can also imply something that is very bad or inadequate.
|
| sad |
A general term for feeling or causing sorrow or unhappiness. It is commonly used in everyday situations.
|
| sorry |
Used to express sadness or regret about an unfortunate situation or mistake. It also can imply sympathy or pity in certain contexts.
|
Examples of usage
- He looked so pathetic standing there in the rain.
- Her pathetic expression tugged at my heartstrings.
- The movie depicted the protagonist's pathetic struggle for survival.
- His attempts to win her back were just pathetic.
- The homeless dog had a pathetic look in its eyes.
extremely inadequate or unsatisfactory
lamentably inadequate; distressing or shocking in its inadequacy; very poor in quality or ability; causing or deserving scorn or ridicule because of its inadequacy
Synonyms
inadequate, inferior, poor, substandard, unsatisfactory.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| pathetic |
This word has a strong negative connotation and is used to describe something or someone that is miserably inadequate or evokes pity. It is often used in an emotional or judgmental context.
|
| inadequate |
This word is appropriate when describing something that is insufficient or not good enough in quality or quantity. It has a more neutral tone compared to 'pathetic'.
|
| unsatisfactory |
Use this word to describe something that does not meet expectations or requirements. It has a formal tone and negative connotation.
|
| poor |
This word is often used to describe something of low quality or standard. It can also refer to bad performance or results and has a negative connotation.
|
| substandard |
This word is used to describe something that falls below an acceptable standard or quality. It carries a negative connotation and is typically used in more formal contexts.
|
| inferior |
Use this word when comparing something to a standard or another item and finding it to be of lower quality or value. It has a slightly negative connotation.
|
Examples of usage
- The service at the restaurant was pathetic.
- His performance was so pathetic that the audience booed him off the stage.
- The company's attempts to cover up the scandal were pathetic at best.
- The government's response to the crisis was pathetic.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The term comes from the Greek word 'pathos,' meaning emotion or suffering, which shows how it relates to feelings.
- It was first used in English in the late 14th century to describe things that evoke pity or sadness.
- Over time, 'pathetic' evolved to describe not just emotions, but also actions or situations that are seen as weak or less impressive.
Psychology
- Research indicates that evoking 'pathetic' feelings can lead to empathy, making people more likely to help others in need.
- Feeling pathetic, or observing something as pathetic, can provoke strong emotional responses, often leading to humor or pity.
- Social media often amplifies feelings of being pathetic, as people compare themselves to others' seemingly perfect lives.
Literature
- In literature, characters can be described as 'pathetic' to elicit sympathy from the audience, often seen in tragic heroes.
- Many poets and playwrights use 'pathetic' situations to emphasize the human condition, showing vulnerability and resilience.
- The phrase 'pathetic fallacy' describes giving human emotions to nature, enhancing the emotional landscape of a story.
Pop Culture
- In comedy, the term 'pathetic' is often used to create humor through exaggerated failures or awkward moments.
- Movies often feature 'pathetic' characters whose journeys highlight personal growth, turning their weak circumstances into sources of inspiration.
- Reality TV frequently showcases 'pathetic' moments for entertainment, playing on the drama and emotional highs and lows of contestants.
Translations
Translations of the word "pathetic" in other languages:
🇵🇹 patético
🇮🇳 दयनीय
🇩🇪 erbärmlich
🇮🇩 patetis
🇺🇦 жалюгідний
🇵🇱 żałosny
🇯🇵 哀れな (aware na)
🇫🇷 pathétique
🇪🇸 patético
🇹🇷 acınası
🇰🇷 한심한 (hansimhan)
🇸🇦 بائس
🇨🇿 ubohý
🇸🇰 úbohý
🇨🇳 可悲的 (kěbēi de)
🇸🇮 patetičen
🇮🇸 aumingjalegur
🇰🇿 мүсіркеу
🇬🇪 საწყალი
🇦🇿 acınacaqlı
🇲🇽 patético