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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pitiful
From ’01 to ’20, the Knicks played in only 30 postseason games, posting a pitiful 9-21 record.
—
Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 18 May 2025
Not a week goes by without a new sensational report lamenting the educational aspirations, well-being expectations or pitiful work ethic of people born post-millennium.
—Lauren Coulman, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
The pitiful performance by the Texas Rangers against the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2016 divisional round.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2025
But the rates were pitiful: $9.87 for a 13-mile trip, $19.97 for a 25-mile trip and so on.
—Eli Tan, New York Times, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitiful
Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 18 May 2025
Not a week goes by without a new sensational report lamenting the educational aspirations, well-being expectations or pitiful work ethic of people born post-millennium.
—Lauren Coulman, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
The pitiful performance by the Texas Rangers against the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2016 divisional round.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2025
But the rates were pitiful: $9.87 for a 13-mile trip, $19.97 for a 25-mile trip and so on.
—Eli Tan, New York Times, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitiful
Adjective
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So why did a chess engine that came under the pathetic category and only looks one move ahead not just defeat but humiliate ChatGPT?—
David Szondy
June 15,
New Atlas,
15 June 2025
-
Not because ownership has had a change of heart, but rather as a way to address their pathetic offense.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.—
Kevin Fisher-Paulson,
San Francisco Chronicle,
8 June 2021
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My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.—
Tim Neville,
Outside Online,
23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
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Despite being poor, India’s democracy thrived as its leaders managed the country’s political fortunes through open competition.—
ASHLEY J. TELLIS,
Foreign Affairs,
17 June 2025
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In past decades, this stage was easy to spot: clashing colors, poor makeup attempts, and wardrobes inspired by favorite TV stars.—
Dia Gallo,
Parents,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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Two screenshots from the video showing Ollie was a sad facial expression.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 June 2025
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The building directly across the street stands in sad disrepair, its windows smashed, swathed in graffiti, a front garage door hangs half-open.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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This means some fans will be watching Messi for as little as $4, which is a far cry from the cheapest seats being cast at $349 when the draw was made in December.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
14 June 2025
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The index factors in basic leisure costs, such as cable and streaming subscriptions, and trips to the six movies and two MLB games per year in the cheap seats.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Mings watched on from the Wembley steps as an unused substitute during the wretched FA Cup semi-final defeat to Crystal Palace, many fans believing his skill set was better suited to deal with Palace’s counter-attacking threat.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
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Fernandes, who’s been at Old Trafford since 2020, chalked up 19 goals and 20 assists in all competitions during a wretched 2024/25 campaign for the Red Devils.—
Henry Flynn,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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The effort is big business with organized, managed, paid people doing the dirty work.—
Carolyn Rosenblatt,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
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Washing Machine Cleaner Your clothes aren’t the only things that get dirty in the laundry room.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Championship-only fandom is a largely miserable existence.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
19 June 2025
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Unexpectedly miserable league seasons last time around for Tottenham and Manchester United — the final opponents at the Amex Stadium next May — are another reason why forecasting is hazardous, especially in Brighton’s case.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pitiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitiful. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
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