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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Even by his standards, Trump’s effort to find a scapegoat was pretty pathetic.
—
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2025
But as is often the case with singular rule and kingdoms built on lies and deception, the pathetic nuance of Richard is left bare as others outsmart him.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 July 2025
With Rip Torn hurling wrenches at people and Christine Taylor rejecting Stiller’s pathetic advances, this slapstick comedy checks every box of the sports-movie formula and does it pretty damn well.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 25 July 2025
Flores riding high with Vikings defense Enter Flores, who was hired shortly after that pathetic performance.
—Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathetic
John Cassidy, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2025
But as is often the case with singular rule and kingdoms built on lies and deception, the pathetic nuance of Richard is left bare as others outsmart him.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 30 July 2025
With Rip Torn hurling wrenches at people and Christine Taylor rejecting Stiller’s pathetic advances, this slapstick comedy checks every box of the sports-movie formula and does it pretty damn well.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 25 July 2025
Flores riding high with Vikings defense Enter Flores, who was hired shortly after that pathetic performance.
—Steve Silverman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for pathetic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pathetic
Adjective
-
This negative sentiment was also felt on both sides of the Atlantic, given their pitiful plummet in popularity.—
Brie Stimson , Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
25 July 2025
-
For their part, France produced a pitiful display of football, which deserved nothing less than elimination.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
20 July 2025
Adjective
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Charlotte Lawrence loves a good, gut-wrenching, sad song.—
Leah Lu,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Even weeks following the sad news, Black Sabbath is still dominating, and several of the group’s albums climb to new peaks decades after they were first released.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Daphne, miserable at boarding school; Bea, unhappy at home.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
-
For years, parents faced a choice between exposing their kids to unknown dangers on social-media platforms or fighting a constant battle that would leave their kids isolated and miserable.—
Charlotte Alter,
Time,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
These movies are brilliantly written, but above all will do anything to get a laugh, no matter how silly, how absurd, how ridiculous — how stupid.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The video wraps with a ridiculous post-credits scene from the wedding reception, featuring Sheeran in a full wedding dress, totally committed to the waltz choreography.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This implies a poor Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 52.5% (vs. 19.4% for S&P 500).—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The general manager, making a rare road trip, told reporters that his presence had more to do with his scheduling availability than the Yankees’ third-place standing or their poor play over the past two-plus months.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Gambling today, however, is a sad and depressing experience, nothing like my dad’s and my Atlantic City adventure.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Aug. 2025
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And yet, somehow, the most depressing show on TV—with the exception of any news broadcast, at least—is a reality soap about bougie couples in the suburbs of Los Angeles.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.—
Kevin Fisher-Paulson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 June 2021
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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
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Interestingly, the Vance memes were far more surreal and absurd than South Park’s caricature, which retained the simple, bloated design of the first few images.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
These movies are brilliantly written, but above all will do anything to get a laugh, no matter how silly, how absurd, how ridiculous — how stupid.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pathetic. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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