1
as in pathetic
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)
that piece of junk is a pitiful excuse for a car
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lame
arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust
a pitiful coward
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in poor
deserving of one's pity
pitiful orphans who had lost everything in the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pitiful
Once Bernstein landed on broadcast television, in the mid-fifties, such guides looked pitiful.
—
David Denby, New Yorker, 20 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
My pansies are pitiful, the lavender is languishing and the salvia is suffering.
—Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 7 July 2025
The stock has plummeted almost 50% in the past year, and now sells for a pitiful multiple -- four times recent earnings.
—John Dorfman, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitiful
David Denby, New Yorker, 20 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
My pansies are pitiful, the lavender is languishing and the salvia is suffering.
—Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 7 July 2025
The stock has plummeted almost 50% in the past year, and now sells for a pitiful multiple -- four times recent earnings.
—John Dorfman, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitiful
Adjective
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The end of that era came slowly, through the pathetic collapse of Syria and Lebanon as functioning states, and then quickly, when Israel began touching Hezbollah in unexpected places.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Want the poop on this pathetic history?—
Brian Domitrovic,
Forbes.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Another main issue is that the power grind itself now being the endgame is no longer a good motivator to play, nor is the Tier system with 3s not much different than 4s or 5s, and all past weapons being somewhat lame now outside of that system entirely.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
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Paine proposed a lump sum payment of £15 (£2,306 in 2025) to everyone reaching the age of twenty-one and a £10 (£1,537 in 2025) annual pension for the blind and lame, as well as for those fifty and older.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Cutting carbs entirely can raise the risk of cholesterol, kidney stones, poor bone health, gut problems, and even cancer, added Stefanki.—
Caitlin Pagán,
Verywell Health,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Before Wednesday’s game, people within the organization were optimistic about Helsley putting his tipping problem and overall poor pitching behind him, pointing to a clean inning Monday.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This one is trickier and sadder to think about.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
12 Sep. 2025
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Composite image created by Newsweek shows two older people looking worried and a piggy bank with a sad face on its side.—
Aliss Higham,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The efficiency and immediacy of space medicine may well influence healthcare innovation far beyond orbit, inspiring systems that are faster, cheaper, and more accessible.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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But because the signals are so faint, they can be drowned out by cheap jammers or replaced by counterfeit ones.—
Kapil Kajal,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Nobody under 6 feet had climbed the highest mountain in American sports — winning the biggest game in the biggest league from the most important and glamorous position — and Wilson was one wretched play away from doing it twice.—
Ian O'Connor,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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Soldiers stationed in the area remarked on the wretched smell of decomposition well into 1917, a year after the battle ended.—
Michael Jerome Plunkett
September 5,
Literary Hub,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The gentle, fragrance-free formula leaves even the dirtiest of clothes spotless.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
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Ahead of Lipa’s arrival the team was busy setting up trays of extra dirty martinis, her preferred drink.—
Leigh Nordstrom,
Footwear News,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, Jeremiah is miserable, has nowhere to live, and is trying to find meaning through meaningless flings.—
Olivia Petter,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
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The Arizona Cardinals and head coach Jonathan Gannon made life miserable for Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and head coach Dave Canales, from start to finish, Sunday at State Farm Stadium.—
DIAMOND VENCES,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pitiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitiful. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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