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pitying 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of pityingnext
as in merciful

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pitying

2 of 2

verb

present participle of pity
as in loving
to have sympathy for I always pity the people who have to work in this freezing weather

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 pitying
Verb
There is nothing pitying and also nothing airbrushed in the pictures—just the occasional haze of a misty morning or the blurry tremor of a burning brush pile. — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 9 May 2026 Twenty-first-century indie shaped the identities of many Millennials, but it’s now often talked about with pitying nostalgia—as the bygone style of hipsters with handlebar mustaches pretending to be countercultural while making easy-listening music for hotel lobbies. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitying
  1. merciful
  2. loving
  3. tolerant
  4. sympathetic
  5. understanding
  6. patient
  7. forbearing
  8. forgiving
Adjective
  • Soon, an Angels’ season filled with firings, turmoil and loss after loss after loss will come to its merciful conclusion.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • God did not punish him intensely, but only from time to time and in a merciful way.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of merciful
Verb
  • Summer House viewers know Miller is actually known for loving to spend time in bed — a fact Armstrong was informed of on Wednesday.
    — Sarah Hearon, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Both of them are part of Dem Guns, a nonprofit started in 2025 that aims to provide a space for gun-loving Democrats.
    — Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of loving
Adjective
  • Referees are asked to be more tolerant when players are desperately trying to score or defend their goal.
    — Graham Scott, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Will this majority be more tolerant or understanding and inclusive because these are their values?
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of tolerant
Adjective
  • Finally, after flashing his union card and ID, a sympathetic cop lets him in.
    — Jeff Goodell, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
  • And Ric Salinas, who plays Chachalacani, humorously obliges, bringing his Culture Clash vaudeville skills to the role of the sentry who’s caught between the rock of Klion’s tyranny and his fellow feeling for Antíkona’s sympathetic cause.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of sympathetic
Adjective
  • Atletico coach Diego Simeone has said publicly that the player has the right to make decisions over his own future, but the Metropolitano fans are unlikely to be so understanding.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 23 June 2026
  • That's why understanding affordability has become just as important as finding the right property.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 22 June 2026
Definition of understanding
Adjective
  • Taking these lessons and being able to be patient, taking it a hole and a shot at a time.
    — Johnny Resendiz, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • The Royals remained patient as Erceg was slotted into low-leverage situations.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of patient
Adjective
  • With the economy in the doldrums, the public is less forbearing.
    — Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025
Definition of forbearing
Adjective
  • Western chefs’ knives tend to be sturdy, heavy, and made with slightly softer and more forgiving steel; Japanese chef’s knives (known as a gyuto), on the other hand, are designed to be sharp, nimble, and excellent slicers.
    — Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026
  • Its cotton material has been garment-dyed for extra softness and blended with a touch of elastane for a more forgiving fit.
    — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of forgiving

Browse Nearby Words

pity
pitying
pivot
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Cite this Entry

“Pitying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitying. Accessed 17 Sep. 2026.

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