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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for pitiful
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for pitiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitiful
Adjective
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The plan involved discovering a long lost princess, hopping on a plane to London, breaking into a museum store room, and enlisting the help of a very pathetic historian.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 May 2026
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In our home, DC used a small, pathetic room meant for storage to pursue his hobbies.—
Marni Jameson,
Arkansas Online,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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As lame as the fact that an Erewhon smoothie costs $19 is that so many of us need to be paid to be nice to each other.—
Swan Huntley,
Los Angeles Times,
25 May 2026
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Santana tried to jump off the steps to clothesline Maclin but came up a bit lame.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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At this point the Red Sox are in serious danger, and the only reason the club is even within striking distance of a playoff spot is because the rest of the American League has been so poor.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
27 May 2026
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Putumayo is one of Colombia’s poorest and most troubled regions.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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The sad thing is that the miseries return, but there is no other Garrincha available.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
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Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to Cesar's family and friends during this very sad time.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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Strained by tighter budgets and product price increases, more shoppers are willing to ditch their favorite brand for a cheaper alternative, a new study finds.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
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The simpler, cheaper, more snow-friendly autonomous driving hardware is welcome, too.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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But tensions escalated over Memorial Day weekend as hundreds of detainees went on a hunger strike to protest spoiled food and wretched conditions, some of their lawyers said.—
David Williams,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
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Even with the Tigers’ grisly combination of injury misfortune and wretched play, their season is not yet over.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Adjective
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The legal, commercial, and reputational risks of avoiding dirty leather will fall on your shoulders.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
26 May 2026
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Sleep deprivation and dirty diapers are a small price to pay to feel such love.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
25 May 2026
Adjective
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The $50 million playland opened in miserable Memorial Day weekend weather, but 12,000 visitors still showed up.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
29 May 2026
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Let’s survey the wreckage of another miserable day at the ballpark.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pitiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitiful. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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