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

The Chargers' offense mustered a pathetic 14 points all game.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Sep. 2026
It’s also brilliantly written as a futile, pathetic rebellion by men with zero agency or purpose in their own lives.

— Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of pathetic

Adjective

Supporters hope for a vote during the post-election lame-duck session, potentially as part of a year-end package.

— Shira Lazar, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2026
Even as Swift shines in the light of holy matrimony, there are still plenty of lame dudes out there for Taylor to crush across three-minute pop masterstrokes — and, God-willing, there always will be.

— Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of lame

Adjective

Spark, a writer of the first rank, brought her beautifully to life in this moving, rather sad novel of Edinburgh in the 1930s.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
And yet the allegation against her now enters Orange County’s long, sad spectrum of anti-Mexican political history.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

But, for Iñárritu, the wretched state of the world has always been more of a starting point, a baseline narrative assumption, than a determinant or register of mood.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
Not one Wrexham player emerged with credit from a truly wretched performance, apart perhaps from goalkeeper Anthony Patterson, who prevented the margin of defeat being even larger with excellent saves to deny Jarrod Bowen and Manor Solomon.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of wretched

Adjective

At first the owner stared at him blankly, then flashed a look of distaste, as if a dirty rodent had brushed his foot.

— Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
Stephens and several teammates then appeared to taunt the Oregon players and celebrate the dirty play rather than show concern for a fellow college athlete who was lying motionless on the field.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of dirty

Adjective

The Heat finished a miserable 15-67 that season, a year in which hope was sometimes hard to find among veterans.

— Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
The Chargers have been horrendous through two games this season, and that's coming from a miserable Dolphins fan.

— Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of miserable

Browse Nearby Words

pities

pitiful

pitiless

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Style

“Pitiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitiful. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pitiful

adjective

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