pitiable

adjective

piti·​able ˈpi-tē-ə-bəl 

1

: deserving or exciting pity : lamentable

pitiable victims

2

: of a kind to evoke mingled pity and contempt especially because of inadequacy

a pitiable excuse

pitiableness noun

pitiably

ˈpi-tē-ə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• cheap
• contemptible
• cruddy
• deplorable
• despicable
• dirty
• grubby
• lame
• lousy
• mean
• nasty
• paltry
• pitiful
• ratty
• scabby
• scummy
• scurvy
• sneaking
• sorry
• wretched

Choose the Right Synonym for pitiable

contemptible, despicable, pitiable, sorry, scurvy mean arousing or deserving scorn.

contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values.

a contemptible liar

despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation.

a despicable crime

pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.

a pitiable attempt at tragedy

sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness.

this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car

scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.

a scurvy crew of hangers-on

Examples of pitiable in a Sentence

the sales presentation was a pitiable display of ineptitude and disorganization

a pitiable attempt at singing that generated snickers

Recent Examples on the Web

In some ways, both DeSantis and Poilievre are pitiable. —Drew Nelles, Time, 28 Apr. 2025

Trump is enacting Project 2025 nearly to the letter, deploying executive orders, lawsuits, and rhetorical bombast in an effort to force judges, law firms, cultural institutions, university presidents, and press barons into postures of pitiable obedience. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025

Federal aid cuts are likely, given the current dismantling of our nation’s already-pitiable social safety net. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2025

Part of that is Doug, who is too pitiable to make a compelling center. —J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 18 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pitiable

adjective

piti·​able ˈpit-ē-ə-bəl 

: pitiful

pitiably

-blē 

adverb