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Definition of pathetic
1 : having a capacity to move one to either compassionate or contemptuous pity
2 : marked by sorrow or melancholy : sad
3 : pitifully inferior or inadequate the restaurant's pathetic service
From the M-W Editors
Examples of pathetic in a Sentence
The spectacle seen in the theater of the news presented the American President as a failed suppliant instead of a conquering hero—an ailing and pathetic figure dismissed with the smile of pity and the gift of some sweet candies shaped as miniature sculptures of the President's two dogs. —Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, March 1992
They were brave, and bravely she served them a pathetic meal of nothing but limitless bowls of little potatoes boiled in their jackets … —M. F. K. Fisher, With Bold Knife and Fork, 1969
Her face looked pale and extinguished, as if dimmed by the rich red of her dress. She struck Archer, of a sudden, as a pathetic and even pitiful figure. —Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence, 1920
The blind, old dog was a pathetic sight.
The team was pretty bad last year, but this year they're downright pathetic.
The story he told was a pathetic attempt to cover up a lie.
His car is a pathetic piece of junk.
Recent Examples of pathetic from the Web
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The Chargers owner taking his team from the community that gave it so much love for 56 years is pathetic and slimy.
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For about 20 years the Golden State franchise was pathetic.
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And, that has caused the U.S. Senate to fail passing gun reform bills a pathetic four times, all bills inspired by the Pulse attacks.
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The reasons for this pathetic state of affairs are myriad.
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Pathetic excuse by London Mayor Sadiq Khan who had to think fast on his 'no reason to be alarmed' statement.
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Even the pathetic dwarf Mime (Peter Bronder) is credible.
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God bless Christian and all white nationalists’ pathetic little souls.
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Trout looked inhuman in 2017, but now his season will be marred by injury, one of the pathetic trappings of humanity.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pathetic'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of pathetic
Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French pathetique, from Late Latin patheticus, from Greek pathētikos capable of feeling, pathetic, from paschein (aorist pathein) to experience, suffer — more at pathos
Synonym Discussion of pathetic
PATHETIC Defined for English Language Learners
pathetic
playDefinition of pathetic for English Language Learners
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: causing feelings of sadness and sympathy
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: very bad, poor, weak, etc.
PATHETIC Defined for Kids
pathetic
playDefinition of pathetic for Students
: causing feelings of pity, tenderness, or sorrow “You talk about some pathetic, tortured-looking little faces.” — Christopher Paul Curtis, The Watsons
pathetically
adverbLearn More about pathetic
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See words that rhyme with pathetic Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pathetic Spanish Central: Translation of pathetic Nglish: Translation of pathetic for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pathetic for Arabic speakers
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