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
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
Gallup reached only 50,000 people, a pitiful fraction of The Literary Digest’s awe-inspiring mailbag.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pitiful
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
Gallup reached only 50,000 people, a pitiful fraction of The Literary Digest’s awe-inspiring mailbag.
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pitiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitiful
Adjective
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But as Notes from Underground progresses, his behavior turns from funny to pathetic to downright despicable.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Apr. 2026
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Over pinwheeling synths, Mahesh inhabits her narrator’s misplaced longing with gooey, heart-eyed delusion and sweetly pathetic determination.—
Harry Tafoya,
Pitchfork,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And getting all giddy over some lame light beer that has apple juice poured into to is just plain embarrassing.—
Zach Dean OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 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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Injuries to key players on the Amazin’s contributed to some poor numbers as well.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Although poor students are disproportionately likely to receive special education in New York City, well-off disabled kids are the ones most acutely driving up the budget.—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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As major college athletics continues to shift into for-profit, these types of sad measures are expected to continue, and private equity will continue to creep in.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 May 2026
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And such a sad story for Positano, and this whole region.—
Andrea Margolis,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Cars were exciting, efficient, and relatively cheap.—
Oren Peleg,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
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Its aggressive marketing strategy persuades users to buy a vast range of items at cheaper prices.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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Hitting a batter out of frustration is a wretched look, no matter the circumstance.—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
6 May 2026
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Still, Ohm is more despairing and miserable than any of the wretched worms Scott has acted to date.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The drinks attract younger women, typically age 16 to 35, and are aimed at health-conscious customers that don’t want Swig’s more caloric and filling dirty sodas, CEO Alex Dunn said.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
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That wasn’t the only utensil stored in a dirty place.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Women say the women’s restrooms also are miserable, too.—
Charley Walters,
Twin Cities,
2 May 2026
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The Timberwolves, in general, and Jaden McDaniels, specifically, made life miserable for Murray in Game 6.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pitiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitiful. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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