pathetic

adjective pa·thet·ic \ pə-ˈthe-tik \

Updated on: 18 May 2018

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

4 : absurd, laughable

a pathetic costume

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pathetical

play \pə-ˈthe-ti-kəl\ adjective

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pathetically

play \pə-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See pathetic defined for English-language learners

See pathetic defined for kids

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

Our laws are so weak, so pathetic, given to us by Democrats, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer.

— eric levenson, CNN, "The caravan of migrants has reached the US-Mexico border. So what's next?," 30 Apr. 2018
The social media outcry against UCF has been predictable — and pathetic.

— mike bianchi, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Sadly, UCF national championship rings are again irking college football elitists," 23 Apr. 2018
For all the book’s political accusations, there’s a lot more depicting Trump as increasingly unhinged or pathetic.

— lucas mann, The Atlantic, "What Exactly Makes Trump a 'Reality-TV President'?," 30 Apr. 2018
After Red Sox reliever Joe Kelly hit Yankees DH Tyler Austin with a pitch, causing a brief (and fairly pathetic) brawl, the PawSox PR peeps went into overdrive.

— mark shanahan, BostonGlobe.com, "PawSox bring MLB rivalry to McCoy Stadium," 20 Apr. 2018
Beto O’Rourke, an occasional member of Los Diablitos de El Paso sandlot baseball team, looked pathetic in his first two at-bats last Sunday at the Long Time, a diamond in Austin, Texas.

— michael hoinski, GQ, "Beto in the Outfield," 19 Apr. 2018
Black Panther’s Marvelization of black history and anthropology is pathetic, and the Marvelizing of black imagination is appalling.

— armond white, National Review, "Black Panther’s Circle of Hype," 16 Feb. 2018
At the center is Joel Reitsma's forcible turn as Paul, a convincingly impossible concoction: childlike, malevolent, charming, repugnant, pathetic, condemnable.

— justin hayford, Chicago Reader, "Joel Reitsma's star turn in Birdland may be the performance of the season," 11 Apr. 2018
For starters, that evil dwarf Alberich is about the most pathetic excuse for a villain in the fantasy genre.

— kerry lengel, azcentral, "‘Das Rheingold’ review: Arizona Opera gives Wagner an epic update," 7 Apr. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1591

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

pathetic Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of pathetic

moving, impressive, poignant, affecting, touching, pathetic mean having the power to produce deep emotion. moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

- a moving appeal for contributions

impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

- an impressive list of achievements

poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.

- a poignant documentary on the homeless

affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

- an affecting deathbed reunion

touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.

- the touching innocence in a child's eyes

pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

- pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

PATHETIC Defined for English Language Learners

pathetic

adjective

Definition of pathetic for English Language Learners

: causing feelings of sadness and sympathy
: very bad, poor, weak, etc.

PATHETIC Defined for Kids

pathetic

adjective pa·thet·ic \ pə-ˈthe-tik \

Definition 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

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pathetically

adverb

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Definition of pathetic

pathetical

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Examples of pathetic in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of pathetic

pathetic Synonyms

Synonyms

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PATHETIC Defined for English Language Learners

pathetic

Definition of pathetic for English Language Learners

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pathetic

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pathetically

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