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
Synonyms
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
Cesira’s circumstances may be pitiable, but her character isn’t.
—
Jess Bergman, The New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2023
Robinette is a model of dignity in a role that in lesser hands might seem pitiable.
—Peter Marks, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2023
Their neighbors dismissed it as so much pitiable Soviet nostalgia.
—James Verini Paolo Pellegrin, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2023
Soon the grizzled features resolve into something pitiable and arresting, a bleak mirror.
—Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 27 Sep. 2023
The Hollow Earth Conspiracy Stands Strong In the refutations of science, self-respecting hollow-Earthers will hear only a pitiable close-mindedness.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 17 Aug. 2023
Wilson puts most of his aw-shucks charm to the side to play this spacey wannabe, portraying Eli instead with a pitiable whine or some far-out detachment.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 June 2023
Max Fischer is the most indelible character in the Wes Anderson filmography, a creature both admirable and pitiable in his striving.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 June 2023
Miriam Silverman, as Iris’s uptown sister, Mavis, who has married into respectability, excels at that gambit, playing pitiable and understanding from one angle, then vicious from another.
—Lorraine Hansberry, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2023
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Jess Bergman, The New Yorker, 8 Nov. 2023
Robinette is a model of dignity in a role that in lesser hands might seem pitiable.
—Peter Marks, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2023
Their neighbors dismissed it as so much pitiable Soviet nostalgia.
—James Verini Paolo Pellegrin, New York Times, 1 Nov. 2023
Soon the grizzled features resolve into something pitiable and arresting, a bleak mirror.
—Rachel Cusk, Harper's Magazine, 27 Sep. 2023
The Hollow Earth Conspiracy Stands Strong In the refutations of science, self-respecting hollow-Earthers will hear only a pitiable close-mindedness.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 17 Aug. 2023
Wilson puts most of his aw-shucks charm to the side to play this spacey wannabe, portraying Eli instead with a pitiable whine or some far-out detachment.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 June 2023
Max Fischer is the most indelible character in the Wes Anderson filmography, a creature both admirable and pitiable in his striving.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 June 2023
Miriam Silverman, as Iris’s uptown sister, Mavis, who has married into respectability, excels at that gambit, playing pitiable and understanding from one angle, then vicious from another.
—Lorraine Hansberry, Vulture, 27 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pitiable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of pitiable was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near pitiable
Cite this Entry
“Pitiable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pitiable. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
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