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
Suddenly sitting atop the industry leader, John, Junior regarded Fred Smith with a combination of amusement, disdain or pity. Jerrold Lundquist, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025 Gilman garners the audience’s sympathy but not our pity, gifting Anderson’s film with a most unlikely romantic hero. 6. Joe Reid, Vulture, 12 June 2025
Verb
Which isn’t to suggest that we’re asked to pity him. David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 22 Apr. 2025 Just thinking about the poor suckers who had to guard her in high school makes Fudd pity them. Grace Raynor, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pity
Noun
  • That is a shame, as many website builders these days offer image editors.
    Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 18 July 2025
  • Unfortunately, the global version loses this connectivity, which is a shame.
    Ben Sin, Forbes.com, 17 July 2025
Noun
  • This compared to 28 percent who had sympathy for the royals and 68 percent who had either not very much or none.
    Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 July 2025
  • Finally, Trump Seems to Get Putin Then came this week’s weapons deal along with more sympathy for Ukraine and more praise for NATO and its leader.
    Tom Nagorski, Time, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • But true Leonard fans will love the heavily detailed account, with page after page of facts about the author’s 45 books, countless movie scripts and short stories.
    Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 13 July 2025
  • Laren loves being creative and often spends her time drawing and expressing herself through art.
    MARE Staff, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • But his message will resound of kindness and creativity.
    Steve Baltin, Forbes.com, 19 July 2025
  • Unto is the humanitarian ministry of Cru that helps Cru express the kindness of Jesus and tangibly demonstrate the love of Christ, McClure explained.
    Mia Thurow, jsonline.com, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • Stripped of her powers under a red sun, Supergirl must rely on her grit, compassion and wits to guide Ruthye on a path of vengeance and justice, ultimately confronting the nature of violence and power.
    Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 12 July 2025
  • To many of them, advancing Christian dominance matters more than human compassion.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • What makes for a better song — a broken heart or falling in love?
    Brittany Talarico, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • Gold was also a winner at Rahul Mishra, whose show opened with a minidress sculpted like a human heart decked-out in gold sequins.
    Ari Stark, Footwear News, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • But then appeared on the road a living creature whose intent my driver could not understand: a cow.
    Shekar Natarajan, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • The human role is now to understand what to ask the models for the best results, and to iron out the inevitable problems that crop up along the way.
    Billy Perrigo, Time, 15 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pity. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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