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Synonym Chooser

How is the word pathetic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of pathetic are affecting, impressive, moving, poignant, and touching. While all these words mean "having the power to produce deep emotion," pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

How are the words affecting and moving related as synonyms of pathetic?

Affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

When can impressive be used instead of pathetic?

In some situations, the words impressive and pathetic are roughly equivalent. However, impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

When is moving a more appropriate choice than pathetic?

The synonyms moving and pathetic are sometimes interchangeable, but moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

a moving appeal for contributions

When could poignant be used to replace pathetic?

While in some cases nearly identical to pathetic, poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.

a poignant documentary on the homeless

Where would touching be a reasonable alternative to pathetic?

Although the words touching and pathetic have much in common, touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.

the touching innocence in a child's eyes

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pathetic The Guardian: The inevitable Trump-Musk feud is pathetic. Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 6 June 2025 The rejection was quite shallow and pathetic, especially as an adult. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 24 May 2025 So why did a chess engine that came under the pathetic category and only looks one move ahead not just defeat but humiliate ChatGPT? David Szondy june 15, New Atlas, 15 June 2025 Not because ownership has had a change of heart, but rather as a way to address their pathetic offense. Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for pathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pathetic
Adjective
  • My pansies are pitiful, the lavender is languishing and the salvia is suffering.
    Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 7 July 2025
  • Something about this one note prompted even this pitiful creature to a risky gesture of mercy.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • That's the sad reality facing many dogs in the wider shelter system.
    Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
  • Sinner plowed through an ailing Novak Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 6-4, in a match that could serve as a sad, unfortunate coda to one of the most remarkable grass careers in tennis history.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • For now, this is DeVries on the job: intent but measured, teeth ready to clamp down on his tongue, establishing standards while also very much trying to make sure his team isn’t miserable from the beginning.
    Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 11 July 2025
  • His Panthers opened the season with two miserable losses, complete with booing from fans in the home opener, and the 23-year-old soon became the first quarterback selected No. 1 overall in the Super Bowl era to be benched for non-injury reasons.
    Eric Jackson, Sportico.com, 7 July 2025
Adjective
  • The dances don’t settle for a twist or strut when a full-bodied vibration is possible, and Easley has a penchant for that ridiculous bobbin-head chicken dance from the ‘40s or ‘50s.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 14 July 2025
  • The administration had tried to argue that the plaintiffs had no standing given that the children were not born yet a ridiculous claim given that the effects would apply immediately at the moment of their birth.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025
Adjective
  • Here are the inspection scores and violations for restaurants within the city limits of Arlington for June 29th - July 5th, 2025 A score of 100 is a perfect score and 70 is considered to be extremely poor.
    Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025
  • But August is perhaps a poor month in which to rally the staff.
    John Updike, New Yorker, 11 July 2025
Adjective
  • That this show could mark a turning point for free speech and the First Amendment is just too depressing to contemplate.
    Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 2 July 2025
  • But already there are major depressing effects on the ports and warehousing that are important contributors to California's economy.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.
    Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
  • My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.
    Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
  • From the vantage point of 2025, this appears as absurd as suggesting that women’s soccer matches should be 70 minutes instead of 90, the same as in the men’s game.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • The French super powerhouse has taken teams part since winning the UEFA Champions League crown on May 24, outscoring its foes by an absurd 21-1 margin.
    Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pathetic. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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