pathetic

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adjective pa·thet·ic \ pə-ˈthe-tik \

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

The gleefully maniacal Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Rec, Legion) manages to play Ingrid as the pathetic object of broad satire, while also humanizing her.

— annalee newitz, Ars Technica, "Ingrid Goes West revels in everything wrong with Instagram celebrities," 27 Aug. 2017
But the effort to undercut the Girl Scouts by stealing the lifeblood of their organization is sneaky, pathetic and shameful.

— petula dvorak, Washington Post, "Don’t fall for it, Girl Scouts. The boys only want you to save their own hides.," 24 Aug. 2017
Especially since Enzo might be the most pathetic wrestler on the WWE roster without his big buddy.

— cleveland.com, "WWE SummerSlam: Brock Lesnar, Braun Strowman and utter brutality," 20 Aug. 2017
To alleviate confusion with the other library, it could be called the Joseph Naper Historical Center. Demolition and throwing up another ugly, high-density, ticky-tacky slab of concrete downtown to satisfy greedy developers is pathetic.

— Naperville Sun, "Letters to the editor: Many views of old Nichols Library," 18 Aug. 2017
The hatred & ignorance displayed by the violent & pathetic group in #charlottsville is unacceptable.

— joe robertson, kansascity, "In the Charlottesville aftermath, people demand to politicians: Call it what it is," 13 Aug. 2017
David Cowan touches them all, yet manages to breathe life into his pathetic character.

— tom titus, Daily Pilot, "On Theater: ‘Mockingbird’ takes wing at Huntington Beach Playhouse," 20 July 2017
But my own mother, after watching me take upwards of 15 minutes to dice a red onion, punctuated by pathetic displays of running my eyes under water every 30 seconds, sent me my own Pull Chop as a housewarming present.

— beejoli shah, Bon Appetit, "The Ultra-Basic Tool That Single-Handedly Turned Me Into a Home Cook," 12 July 2017
The ships would need to be heavily insulated with other crucial elements, like cork, and on top of all that the ships were dreadfully slow, capable of a pathetic six knots of speed.

— david grossman, Popular Mechanics, "The Aircraft Carriers of Ice Designed to Take Down Hitler," 10 July 2017

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

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First Known Use: 1591

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pathetic Synonyms

Synonyms

heartbreaking, heartrending, miserable, piteous, pitiable, pitiful, poor, rueful, sorry, wretched

Antonyms

cheering, cheery, glad, happy

Related Words

deplorable, lamentable, regrettable; emotional, impressive, inspiring; affecting, moving, poignant, stirring, touching; awful, horrible, terrible; distressing, disturbing, upsetting; grievous, mournful, sad, sorrowful, woeful

Near Antonyms

unimpressive, uninspiring

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

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adjective

Definition of pathetic for English Language Learners

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

PATHETIC Defined for Kids

pathetic

play

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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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

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