Pitiful Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ข
pitiful
[หpษชtษชfสl ]
Definitions
feeling or expressing sorrow or sympathy
Deserving or arousing pity; lamentable. Full of or evoking pity; deserving of compassion; sad, pitiable. Arousing or deserving of compassion or scorn; pathetic. Expressing or arousing pity; pathetic.
Synonyms
miserable, pathetic, poor, sad, woeful.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| pitiful |
Used to describe someone or something that deserves pity due to their condition or situation. Often implies a sense of weakness or helplessness.
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| pathetic |
Refers to something that inspires feelings of pity, contempt, or, sometimes, disdain. Often has a negative connotation.
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| sad |
Used to describe a feeling of unhappiness or sorrow. Can be applied to people, situations, or things.
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| miserable |
Describes a state of extreme unhappiness or suffering. Often used in relation to emotional or physical pain.
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| woeful |
Describes a state of deep sorrow or distress. Can also refer to situations or performances that are very bad.
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| poor |
Can refer to someoneโs lack of financial resources or quality of something being subpar. In some contexts, may evoke pity.
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Examples of usage
- He looked so pitiful that I couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
- The sight of the abandoned puppy was truly pitiful.
- She gave me a pitiful look, hoping I would change my mind.
insufficient or lacking in quality
Pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness. Contemptibly small in amount. Worthy of contempt; despicable. Contemptible; mean-spirited.
Synonyms
contemptible, miserable, paltry, pathetic, shameful.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| pitiful |
Use this word to describe someone or something that deserves pity or sorrow.
|
| miserable |
Use this word to describe someone who is very unhappy or uncomfortable.
|
| pathetic |
Use this word to describe something or someone that arouses pity, often because they are sad, weak, or inadequate. This term is typically negative but can sometimes evoke sympathy.
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| paltry |
Use this word to describe something that is trivial, insignificant, or of little value. Itโs generally used in a negative sense.
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| shameful |
Use this word to describe something that causes one to feel shame or disgrace. It has a strong negative connotation.
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| contemptible |
Use this word to describe something or someone that deserves contempt, scorn, or disgust. It carries a very negative connotation.
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Examples of usage
- The performance was pitiful, with barely any effort put into it.
- The amount of money offered was pitiful compared to what was expected.
- His pitiful attempt to cover up the mistake only made things worse.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Origin of 'pitiful'
The word 'pitiful' originated from the Middle English word 'pitous', which came from the Old French 'piteux' meaning 'compassionate' or 'pious'. Over time, the meaning shifted to convey a sense of sorrow, sympathy, or inadequacy. The term has been used in English literature for centuries to describe situations or individuals that evoke feelings of pity or sadness.