PITIFUL Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

pitiful

adjective

ˈpi-ti-fəl

Definition of pitiful

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

as in lame

arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust a pitiful coward

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 pitiful Will the harsh weather mean poor growth and pitiful harvests? — Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 8 May 2026 Which is a key reason why their economies—with a few exceptions, such as Poland and the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania—have been such pitiful performers in this century. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 8 May 2026 Written as a response to the utopian fiction that consumed Russia’s intelligentsia at the time, Notes from Underground is a mirror that reflects the ugliest, most pitiful aspects of humanity back at us. — Big Think, 29 Apr. 2026 These two beacons of truth and connoisseurs of mess have been bonded for over a decade, sharing the traumas of a crappy Boston dorm room and a pitiful Brooklyn dating scene. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pitiful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitiful

Adjective

This is a complete pathetic effort by defense, offense and coaching.

— Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026
Among the performers, Smith rules the roost as the no-nonsense Angela, and Jones acquits himself tolerably on comic relief duties as the pathetic Mike.

— Caspar Salmon, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of pathetic

Adjective

Respondents questioned Dave Aranda’s roster construction, the program’s lack of identity and why everybody is pretending this isn’t a lame-duck season.

— Manny Navarro, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Post-election powers Keisha Lance Bottoms has a message for Republicans who might be tempted to limit her powers in a lame-duck special session if the Democrat wins the race for governor in November.

— Adam Beam, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of lame

Adjective

The following season, Chelsea topped their Champions League group, but poor Premier League form saw Mourinho sacked in mid-December.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Many are in poor shape, with thin, uninsulated walls, leaky windows, old or broken swamp coolers and electrical systems that can't always handle air conditioners.

— Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

However — here is the gold dust — the perfect blend is gay AND sad.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Top Plays from Broncos @ Chiefs Perhaps the only solace for the Broncos after a season of sky-high expectations opened with a flop is those sorts of sad adjectives belonged to everyone.

— Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

But that does not mean residents will suddenly see a cheaper water bill.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2026
His latest book, Three Tenses, a well as his Pulitzer Prize finalist Same Bed Different Dreams, are complex without resorting to gimmicks or cheap obfuscation that implies depth.

— James Folta, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of cheap

Adjective

The traditional fatal flaws of Burrow injuries and wretched defenses have real solutions with the defensive line depth and Joe Flacco in place to keep the team on track.

— Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Those who care deeply about one aspect of something or another often take charge of their memory, not necessarily reflecting the wretched, real-time ambivalence of the original experience.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of wretched

Adjective

About 15 feet away, there was an oversized rolling laundry bin where players would walk around reporters to drop off their dirty clothes.

— Candace Buckner, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
In them, again and again, peering over the shoulders of the dirty loft buildings and overscale Cadillac Eldorados, the twin towers of the World Trade Center appear.

— Baldwin Lee, Curbed, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of dirty

Adjective

Trabzonspor had two bids rejected — or Saudi Arabia are over, with both countries’ transfer windows also now closed, leaving a return to Brazil as Richarlison’s only escape from a seemingly miserable situation.

— Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Cubs fans have alternated between being ecstatic and miserable, sometimes in the same inning.

— Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of miserable

Browse Nearby Words

pities

pitiful

pitiless

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“Pitiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitiful. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pitiful

adjective

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