Pitiful

/ˈpɪtɪfəl/

Meaning & Definition

adjective

Deserving or arousing pity; sad, pathetic.

The abandoned puppy looked so pitiful that everyone passed by felt compelled to help.

Inferior or inadequate; worthy of scorn.

His pitiful attempt at humor fell flat, leaving the audience in silence.

Lamentably inadequate or insufficient.

The pitiful results of his effort did not meet the standards he had set for himself.

From Middle English pitifull, from Old French pitéf (same meaning), from Latin pietas 'piety, compassion'.

pitiful excuse

An inadequate or feeble attempt to justify something.

pitifully small

Describing something that is insignificantly small.

a pitiful state

Indicating a situation that evokes sympathy due to its poor condition.

pity

The feeling of sorrow and compassion for someone else's misfortune.

mercy

Compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.

commiserate

To express or feel sympathy or pity.

Sad or pathetic situation.

Watching him play alone was just pitiful.

Feeling sorry for someone in a mocking manner.

She looked at his attempts to cook and said, 'How pitiful!'.