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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pitiful
There is nothing deficient, unnatural or pitiful about being single, as we’re often led to believe.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Kate is right in Fey’s Liz Lemon wheelhouse (if a little less pitiful), and Forte is shockingly normal as Kate’s nice-guy husband Jack.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 1 May 2025
For better or worse, high-end eco-resorts of this type tend to focus on hyper-local ingredients often grown in a pitiful little garden behind the kitchen.
—Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 30 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for pitiful
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Kate is right in Fey’s Liz Lemon wheelhouse (if a little less pitiful), and Forte is shockingly normal as Kate’s nice-guy husband Jack.
—Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 1 May 2025
For better or worse, high-end eco-resorts of this type tend to focus on hyper-local ingredients often grown in a pitiful little garden behind the kitchen.
—Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 30 May 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for pitiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitiful
Adjective
-
The double talk that is presented by both Republicans and Democrats alike is pathetic.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
10 July 2025
-
Tehran's retaliation has, so far, been pathetic: a few missiles lobbed at an empty US base, complete with a heads-up.—
Carlo Versano,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 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
-
For certain situations, particularly if someone is in poor health, experts generally say claiming early makes sense.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
-
But August is perhaps a poor month in which to rally the staff.—
John Updike,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
That's the sad reality facing many dogs in the wider shelter system.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 July 2025
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Know that all feelings are OK Some kids might be very sad or might be scared, and some kids might not have thought about this at all.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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With a price tag of $99.99, the half-size bottles weren’t exactly cheap by the ounce—but that didn’t prevent stocks from selling out fast, spurred by excellent word of mouth.—
David Thomas Tao,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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Shop the Asus Vivobook Go 15.6-Inch FHD Slim Laptop, which is marked down to its cheapest price of the year.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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That was a fine symbolic soundtrack for the numbing atmosphere after a game that epitomized a wretched stretch for the Royals — one that is threatening to define and derail a seemingly promising season.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
27 June 2025
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That bubble prevents clouds from forming, meaning no rain, intense sunshine and wretched humidity.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
Use the packing cubes to separate clean and dirty clothes for the duration of your cruise.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Travel + Leisure,
7 July 2025
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Employees get their hands dirty in the intro course by learning how to prompt, then move to more advanced courses on building custom GPTs and agents.—
Melissa Daimler,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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As a result, couples may find themselves in a miserable situation.—
Mark Travers,
CNBC,
29 June 2025
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The first half of the Rockies’ 2025 season was miserable, and that’s an understatement.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pitiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitiful. Accessed 17 Jul. 2025.
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