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
The real version of Dave is equal parts pitiful and menacing, seductive and unable to fully pass himself as a normal person.
—
Alison Herman, Variety, 28 June 2025
My pansies are pitiful, the lavender is languishing and the salvia is suffering.
—Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 7 July 2025
Something about this one note prompted even this pitiful creature to a risky gesture of mercy.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 May 2025
And at times, in certain places and situations, it was expected and welcome—on a long walk, or when a person confessed something pitiful, or at a funeral or a party.
—Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitiful
Alison Herman, Variety, 28 June 2025
My pansies are pitiful, the lavender is languishing and the salvia is suffering.
—Barbara Ellis, Denver Post, 7 July 2025
Something about this one note prompted even this pitiful creature to a risky gesture of mercy.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 May 2025
And at times, in certain places and situations, it was expected and welcome—on a long walk, or when a person confessed something pitiful, or at a funeral or a party.
—Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pitiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitiful
Adjective
-
What’s more pathetic than those who keep selling that myth?—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Kamala has lied for years about their pathetic job growth, which has never been real.—
Meg Kinnard,
Fortune,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
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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This implies a poor Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 52.5% (vs. 19.4% for S&P 500).—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Additionally, over-saturating with water is a poor choice for these floors.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
How long is unknown, but with the season winding down and every game increasing in importance, any game off for Tucker is a sad statement on how far his stock has dropped in the last month.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Aug. 2025
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But the film’s precise, funny characters and vivid, sweltering look would have meant nothing without Lee’s wise and ultimately sad vision of multicultural America as a place where good intentions and casual mistrust are as commonplace as the local pizzeria.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Below are the top options, ranked from cheapest to most expensive starting prices: T-Mobile Home Internet: Starts at $50 per month for speeds up to 415 Mbps, with simple pricing and no extra equipment costs.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
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Solar and wind are not only cheaper—they’re where developers, private equity and global capital appear to be placing their bets.—
Frank Holmes,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The 1972 offensive had been wretched for AP, which was being regularly beaten by its main rival, United Press International.—
Gary Knight,
Rolling Stone,
1 Aug. 2025
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The wretched music alone is worth it, as is Victor Von Doom's henchman, who sounds like a little kid trying to impersonate Dracula.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
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Cleaning your garbage can is dirty work, but regular scrubbing will keep odors at bay and bugs away.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
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Democrats often play dirty and do so here in California regularly given their supermajorities, but they currently are outmatched by Trump’s backyard-brawl tactics and keep getting shivved during these street fights.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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With exciting ex-Washington State QB Mateer and his former OC, Ben Arbuckle, last year’s miserable offense should be light-years better.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
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Add this to the many effects of miserable air quality caused by Canadian wildfires.—
Sophia Tiedge,
jsonline.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pitiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitiful. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.
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