Definitions

pitiful

[pit-i-fuhl] / ˈpɪt ɪ fəl /

ADJECTIVE

in bad shape; poor

Synonyms

STRONGEST

dismal distressing insignificant lamentable miserable paltry pathetic sad shabby sorry touching woeful wretched

WEAK

abject affecting afflicted arousing base beggarly cheap cheerless comfortless commiserative compassionate contemptible deplorable despicable distressed grievous heartbreaking heartrending inadequate joyless low mean mournful moving piteous pitiable scurvy sorrowful stirring suffering tearful vile worthless

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cheerful fortunate glad good happy hopeful important joyful lucky nice rich significant substantial wealthy

WEAK

excellent superb superior wonderful worthwhile

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Do you know how many homeless people are laying on the streets dying? I cried for three days. Pitiful, pitiful, pitiful. That should not be. It should not be.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 5, 2022

So Weird Al released "White & Nerdy," a spoof of Chamillionaire's "Ridin,'" as the first single instead—then released "You're Pitiful" online for free.

From Salon • Sep. 6, 2021

“The War Between the Pitiful Teachers and the Splendid Kids” is a strange and angry kids’ book by Stanley Kiesel, a teacher.

From New York Times • Jun. 17, 2021

Pitiful though this may be, however, Moran doesn’t deserve a pass for doing the wrong thing for the wrong reasons.

From MSNBC • Apr. 4, 2016

Pitiful, injured survivors were camping out in sheds made from pine trees.

From "Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac

Vocabulary lists containing pitiful

List 12

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Commonly Confused Words, List 2

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Crash

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