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Pity Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ˜ข
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pity

[หˆpษชti ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

feeling

The feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the suffering and misfortunes of others.

Synonyms

compassion, empathy, sympathy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
pity

Pity is often used when feeling sorrow for someone else's suffering or misfortune, but from a distance. It can sometimes carry a negative connotation as it may imply a sense of superiority or condescension.

  • "I felt pity for the homeless man on the street
  • " "She looked at him with pity after hearing about his accident
  • "
sympathy

Sympathy is used to express concern for someone's misfortune, generally from a supportive stance rather than a condescending one. It implies understanding and care without necessarily having experienced the same situation.

  • "She sent her sympathy to the grieving family
  • " "He expressed his sympathy in a heartfelt letter
  • "
compassion

Compassion involves a deeper, more active and genuine form of sympathy where there is a strong desire to help the person suffering. It's used in situations where real concern and an urge to alleviate suffering are present.

  • "His compassion for the sick inspired him to become a doctor
  • " "She showed great compassion to the victims of the disaster
  • "
empathy

Empathy is used when someone is able to understand and share the feelings of another person, often because they have experienced something similar themselves. Itโ€™s about putting oneself in another's shoes.

  • "Her empathy made her a great counselor
  • " "He felt empathy for his friend who was going through a tough time
  • "

Examples of usage

  • I felt a deep sense of pity for the homeless man on the street.
  • She looked at him with pity in her eyes.
Context #2 | Verb

action

To feel sorrow and compassion for the suffering and misfortunes of others.

Synonyms

commiserate, feel sorry for, sympathize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
pity

Used when you feel sadness or sorrow for someone's unfortunate situation, often with a sense of superiority.

  • I couldn't help but pity him after hearing about his loss.
  • She looked at the stray dog with pity in her eyes.
sympathize

Used when you understand and share another person's feelings, often related to their distress or misfortune.

  • I sympathize with your situation, having gone through something similar myself.
  • Many people sympathized with her after the tragic event.
commiserate

Used when you share in someone's sorrow or disappointment, often expressing mutual empathy.

  • After the breakup, her friends gathered to commiserate with her.
  • We commiserated over our bad luck with the weather.
feel sorry for

Used in informal settings to express empathy or sadness for someone's misfortune.

  • I feel sorry for children who don't have a place to call home.
  • You can't help but feel sorry for him after all he's been through.

Examples of usage

  • She couldn't help but pity the stray animals in the cold.
  • He pitied the children who had to work long hours.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Pity can sometimes motivate people to help others, as seeing someone in distress can trigger a desire to assist them.
  • However, overwhelming feelings of pity can lead to 'pity fatigue', where one feels exhausted from constantly empathizing with others' suffering.
  • Research shows that individuals who often feel pity may develop a stronger sense of moral responsibility towards others.

Literature

  • In literature, pity has been a common theme, often used to evoke emotional connections between characters and readers.
  • Shakespeare's plays frequently explore pity, such as in 'King Lear', where the suffering of characters elicits compassion from the audience.
  • The concept of pity has also been critiqued in literature, as some authors argue it can imply a sense of superiority over those we feel pity for.

Pop Culture

  • Pity is often portrayed in films through scenes of tragedy, where audiences are invited to feel compassion for the characters' struggles.
  • Songs frequently explore the theme of pity, expressing empathy for heartbreak or hardship, which resonates with listeners on a personal level.
  • In various forms of art, pity can be depicted visually, illustrating the struggle of individuals in challenging circumstances to evoke emotional responses.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers have debated the nature of pity, discussing whether it is a moral obligation to feel for others or a natural human response.
  • In some philosophical theories, pity is viewed as a complex emotion that can spur altruistic behavior but also be seen as condescending.
  • The distinction between pity and empathy is often examined, as empathy is a deeper understanding of anotherโ€™s feelings, while pity distances the person feeling it.

Origin of 'pity'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'pity' comes from the Latin word 'pietas', which means compassion and duty, showing how it relates to caring for others.
  • In Old French, 'pite' also referred to compassion, combining feelings of sympathy and concern for others' suffering.
  • Similar terms in different languages reflect the same concepts of empathy, like 'Mitgefรผhl' in German, which combines 'with' and 'feeling'.

The word 'pity' originated in Middle English from the Old French word 'pitรฉ', which in turn came from the Latin 'pietas' meaning 'dutiful conduct, sense of duty'. Over time, the meaning evolved to represent a feeling of sorrow and compassion towards others.

See also: pitiable, pitiful.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,993, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.