pathetic

adjective pa·thet·ic \ pə-ˈthe-tik \

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: pathetic in a Sentence

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

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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

Sharp Objects also matches Camille’s drinking with Detective Willis’s, perhaps leading viewers to question why hers might seem pathetic but his is more natural, even macho.

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "The Twisted, Enthralling Rot of Sharp Objects," 7 July 2018
Lewis is ice cold, pale, and pathetic, as Soames clings to his Victorian delusions, stuffing his emotions down, his eyes a brutish blue.

— matthew gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, "Ten actors who shone even before they were stars," 28 June 2018
Your ‘journalism’ is the lowest hanging fruit, the easiest articles to write, enjoy pulling that race card every day for the rest of your pathetic, racist, hateful life. Pandering to dumbass people from theroot.com lol wtf is theroot.com?

— michael harriot, The Root, "The Root’s Clapback Mailbag: The Longest Clapback Ever," 22 June 2018
Erdogan has profited in the past from a persistently weak and pathetic opposition.

— elmira bayrasli, The New Republic, "The Coalition to Stop Erdogan," 20 June 2018
Remember Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri, whose perennially pathetic club two years ago beat 5,000-to-1 odds and won the English Premier League for the first time in the 133-year history of the franchise?

— mike bianchi, Pro Soccer USA, "Why fire Jason Kreis with Orlando City still above the playoff line?," 15 June 2018
Marilyn Icsman The Republicans who dominate the Ohio House on Wednesday are supposed to end their pathetic and small-minded seven-week stalemate over who will replace disgraced ex-speakerCliff Rosenberger.

— jason williams, Cincinnati.com, "PX column: Petty GOP fight costs Ohioans, but no real consequences for Republicans," 5 June 2018
So pathetic was Anderson's search that another friend finally took pity and gave him a bottle from his own collection.

— bob warren, NOLA.com, "This very rare bourbon raised a lot of money for Hogs for the Cause," 12 May 2018
So, DeRozan’s showing against the Cavs in the NBA Playoffs was rather pathetic.

— cleveland.com, "NBA 2K19 cover athlete: 20 possible choices," 9 May 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.