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
Most of the time, experts say, vaguebooking boils down to a pitiful plea for attention on the part of the poster.
—
Charles Trepany, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Given that California ranks a pitiful 49th in the nation in the condition, safety and costs of roads and bridges, according to the Reason Foundation’s 2025 Annual Highway Report, taxpayers’ transportation dollars would likely be better spent elsewhere.
—Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
The rear cargo space is pitiful for a vehicle of this size, price, and classification.
—Jesus R. Garcia, Houston Chronicle, 15 Mar. 2026
Granted, those three performances were pitiful.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pitiful
Charles Trepany, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Given that California ranks a pitiful 49th in the nation in the condition, safety and costs of roads and bridges, according to the Reason Foundation’s 2025 Annual Highway Report, taxpayers’ transportation dollars would likely be better spent elsewhere.
—Adam Summers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
The rear cargo space is pitiful for a vehicle of this size, price, and classification.
—Jesus R. Garcia, Houston Chronicle, 15 Mar. 2026
Granted, those three performances were pitiful.
—Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pitiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitiful
Adjective
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Like everyone else, Ryan only calls him lonely and pathetic.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
20 May 2026
-
Just an old, insufferable, pathetic, sad loser.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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By the way, getting excited about a schedule release even on the face of it, without all the pomp and circumstance of social media managers sniffing their own farts, is lame.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
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This idea that just sitting with your face buried in your phone when you’re supposed to be in a social setting—that’s lame, right?—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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After wildfires hit Georgia in April 2026 fueled by a rain deficit, high winds and low humidity, — among other causes, per NASA — neighboring states got slammed with poor air quality alerts.—
Ryan Brennan
May 19,
Kansas City Star,
19 May 2026
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However his attitude on health care and taxes places Newsom at odds with advocates for poor Californians who would be affected and their allies in the Legislature, many of whom want a tax increase.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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The failure of so many in the political world to speak up displays a sad and growing moral bankruptcy.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
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Don’t be sad — this is not a farewell forever.—
Denni Hu,
Footwear News,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Take the quiz here … SHELL GAME — America's cheapest popcorn shrimp basket at a chain restaurant costs under $9.—
,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
-
Sweeney says beginners should start with a trusty can of spray paint, an orbital sander and some cheap hardware.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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The wretched conditions prompt a brainy clerk (Eiza González, who expounds impressively on the heady Marxist concept of dialectical materialism) to join the Velvet Gang.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
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But the group of players who have taken the club to this humiliating end to a wretched season will not have to face Molineux again.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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How To Properly Load A Dishwasher To properly load a dishwasher for maximum cleaning power, place dishes in the dishwasher with the dirty side facing the jets, with taller items around the outside.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
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Use the packing cubes to separate clean and dirty clothes for the duration of your cruise.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Travel + Leisure,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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That being said, the brand of football has been miserable.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
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Eidinger brings sorely needed spark to these miserable proceedings; his profile of sociopathic villainy is, unfortunately or not, the most electric aspect of the film.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pitiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitiful. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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