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View synonyms for pitiful

pitiful

[ pit-i-fuhl ]

adjective

  1. evoking or deserving pity:

    a pitiful fate.

    Synonyms: pathetic, woeful, deplorable, lamentable

    Antonyms: delightful

  2. evoking or deserving contempt by smallness, poor quality, etc.:

    pitiful attempts.

    Synonyms: despicable, vile, base, low, mean, deplorable

    Antonyms: honorable

  3. Archaic. full of pity; compassionate.


pitiful

/ ˈpɪtɪfʊl /

adjective

  1. arousing or deserving pity
  2. arousing or deserving contempt
  3. archaic.
    full of pity or compassion
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈpitifulness, noun
  • ˈpitifully, adverb
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Other Words From

  • piti·ful·ly adverb
  • piti·ful·ness noun
  • self-piti·ful adjective
  • self-piti·ful·ly adverb
  • self-piti·ful·ness noun
  • un·piti·ful adjective
  • un·piti·ful·ly adverb
  • un·piti·ful·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pitiful1

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; pity, -ful
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Synonym Study

Pitiful, pitiable, piteous apply to that which excites pity (with compassion or with contempt). That which is pitiful is touching and excites pity or is mean and contemptible: a pitiful leper; a pitiful exhibition of cowardice. Pitiable may mean lamentable, or wretched and paltry: a pitiable hovel. Piteous refers only to that which exhibits suffering and misery, and is therefore heart-rending: piteous poverty.
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Example Sentences

Considering the draws that Big Ten teams have been awarded, three Sweet 16 teams in two years amounts to a pitiful showing.

Zenon’s closing grabbed me by the back of the neck and forced me to look at the pitiful part of myself that thought I could get away from this without acknowledging the many forms and faces of pain.

From Eater

I think the pitiful play of the defense is the reason why the Niners lost that game and are such a disappointment this year.

Indeed, a jumping spider might consider our 210-degree field of view rather pitiful.

The number of diplomats was pitiful (45 appointees in 1860), as was the amount of money allocated to them.

Here, the time from exposure to illness is not years but days—and the death a rapid and pitiful one.

Even after Maggie and her father expose the affair and take their revenge, they seem more pitiful than triumphant.

This diatribe against the pitiful Washington Redskins summed it all up for their fans.

In losing, however, he will taint his possible rivals—including Rand Paul—as pitiful members of the "surrender caucus."

His pitiful heart deserted him at the very instant when he most needed its support.

He has been at once the author and the audience of the pitiful, unspeakable, long-drawn and far-stretched tragedy of earthly life.

They were about to make a fire and roast some of the flesh for dinner, when a pitiful cry was heard.

Tim looked at his mother and then at Eloise, whose pitiful face appealed to him strongly.

The pitiful, mean, low face and its frame of shock red hair did not appeal to Jessie.

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pitierpitiless