pity 1 of 2

pity

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun pity contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pity are commiseration, compassion, condolence, and sympathy. While all these words mean "the act or capacity for sharing the painful feelings of another," pity implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress.

felt pity for the captives

When is it sensible to use commiseration instead of pity?

The words commiseration and pity can be used in similar contexts, but commiseration suggests pity expressed outwardly in exclamations, tears, or words of comfort.

murmurs of commiseration filled the loser's headquarters

When can compassion be used instead of pity?

While in some cases nearly identical to pity, compassion implies pity coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare.

treats the homeless with great compassion

When might condolence be a better fit than pity?

The synonyms condolence and pity are sometimes interchangeable, but condolence applies chiefly to formal expression of grief to one who has suffered loss.

expressed their condolences to the widow

When could sympathy be used to replace pity?

In some situations, the words sympathy and pity are roughly equivalent. However, sympathy often suggests a tender concern but can also imply a power to enter into another's emotional experience of any sort.

went to my best friend for sympathy
in sympathy with her desire to locate her natural parents

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pity
Noun
But Season 2 kills off the older Galpins without evoking any fear from their dastardly plans or pity for their ultimate plight. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2025 Not used enough in today’s society, more’s the pity. Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Verb
Wilson himself was celebrated for his beautiful music and pitied for his demons. Arkansas Online, 12 June 2025 Brian was simultaneously celebrated for his transcendent musical vision and pitied for the emotional struggles that haunted much of his life. Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for pity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pity
Noun
  • And on the top right are the inhibitory emotions — emotions like anxiety, shame and guilt; their job is to push down our core emotions, which are at the bottom of the triangle.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
  • Being intimate with Olivia helped my shame dissipate.
    Emma Specter, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • While Kyung-sun had somehow already guessed at her roomie’s illicit affair, she is shocked into sympathy upon learning of her abandonment while pregnant.
    Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
  • At Red Eagle Hall, your dad can see the sympathy bubbling up.
    Matthew Shen Goodman, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Yes, Arteta would love to have Saka starting every match and playing injury-free, but Madueke is a very good alternative at his position.
    Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 21 Sep. 2025
  • And that’s what his supporters love about him, and that’s what America loves about him.
    Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 21 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Friedman will never forget the kindness Blake and Bubba showed to her and The Dude that evening.
    Autumn Barnes, NPR, 23 Sep. 2025
  • With Sparkle for a Cause, Alexis turns fitness into a festival of kindness, proving that squats and planks can lift more than muscles.
    Matt Emma, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • There’s compassion, empathy, shame.
    Vauhini Vara September 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
  • The alien is saying that he was raised not to get police involved in stuff like this but rather to work things out person to person, through communication, compassion, and understanding.
    Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Stay Active, Stay Connected Ave Maria Town Center is the picturesque heart of the community and was designed to inspire connection and support an active lifestyle.
    Ave Maria Development, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025
  • If ingested in large enough quantities, this plant also can cause heart rhythm abnormalities, seizures and death.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The first two abbreviations are easy enough to understand.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Wilson understood the concerns of both local officials and residents and thanked them for meeting with his team to discuss the idea.
    Noe Padilla, IndyStar, 26 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pity. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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