1
as in pitiful
deserving of one's pity
the plight of the homeless family was quite pathetic
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sad
causing unhappiness
a pathetic story that made her cry
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in miserable
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)
the crowd mercilessly booed the boxer's pathetic performance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in ridiculous
so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter
the pundit's latest book is another pathetic jumble of factual errors, half-baked political views, and baseless accusations
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pathetic
If two out of 10 germinate, that’s pathetic.
—
Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Even more pathetic was when Maher, who initially had claimed to be a captain, discovered that Yasser’s imaginary rank outranked his own.
—Elizabeth Tsurkov, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
Add the pathetic reality that Illinois is the very definition of unfriendliness for business development and job creation, and the only thing Pritzker and his accomplices can campaign on is the vilification of Trump, facts be damned.
—Paul Miller, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
There are solutions to Joe Biden’s failing and pathetic attempts to raise money to build a presidential library.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathetic
Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026
Even more pathetic was when Maher, who initially had claimed to be a captain, discovered that Yasser’s imaginary rank outranked his own.
—Elizabeth Tsurkov, The Atlantic, 11 Jan. 2026
Add the pathetic reality that Illinois is the very definition of unfriendliness for business development and job creation, and the only thing Pritzker and his accomplices can campaign on is the vilification of Trump, facts be damned.
—Paul Miller, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
There are solutions to Joe Biden’s failing and pathetic attempts to raise money to build a presidential library.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pathetic
Adjective
-
Mercy came via a bye week, the pitiful Raiders and an inept Cowboys defense.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Writer-director Craig Brewer resists the temptation to make Mike and Claire in any way pitiful or worthy of derision.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The same sad and sinister menace occupying 1600 Penn.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Of course, after a while the thrill of getting caught fades, and sneaking around becomes deeply sad rather than sexy.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
In those years, a miserable and extensive roster of racially inflected deaths, from the Central Park jogger and the Exonerated Five to so many more, dominated local news programs and the tabloids, especially Rupert Murdoch’s Post.—
Christopher Bonanos,
Curbed,
1 Feb. 2026
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Even 54 games into this miserable campaign, there’s yet to be even an attempt at a course-correcting move.—
James Mirtle,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Drinks come in ridiculous glasses—like a copper bathtub complete with a rubber ducky—the music is blasting, and the entire restaurant is there to have a good time.—
Molly Barstein,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
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Like, who’s being the most ridiculous?—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The latest information from the National Council on Problem Gambling shows adolescent problem gambling leads to a complex mix of criminal behavior, poor academic achievement, truancy, financial problems, depression, suicide and substance abuse.—
Nick Penzenstadler,
USA Today,
3 Feb. 2026
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Congratulations to Umpire Engzell for being virtually the only person to call her out on her poor tennis behavior.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Winter can be gloomy, dreary, and depressing.—
Kari Leibowitz,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
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Suggesting that Hallam was trying to make a name for himself was a depressing line for Guardiola to attack.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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With about a year left until the next mayoral election, the attacks from Johnson’s opponents attempting to preemptively paint him as a lame-duck mayor could also turn off candidates worried about job stability, but their contract specifics would vary by agency.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2026
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Gavin Newsom is officially a lame-duck governor, and his final year in office seems increasingly focused on an almost certain campaign for the White House.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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These politicians who are in their 80s and now 90s continuing to run for office is absurd.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
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Rates are soaring at absurd levels, but what’s worse is what many homeowners are getting in return — less coverage, fewer payouts and other negative effects.—
Dave Lieber,
Dallas Morning News,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pathetic. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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