adj
pitiable
PIH-tee-uh-buhl
adj
1
Deserving or arousing pity.
"The stray dog was in a pitiable state after the storm."
How to Use Pitiable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSo sad or weak that it makes you feel sorry for it.
Common mistake
"Pitiable" and "pitiful" overlap heavily in meaning, though "pitiful" more often carries a tone of contempt (a pitiful excuse) while "pitiable" leans toward genuine sympathy.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
more pitiable comparative, most pitiable superlative
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The stray dog was in a _____ state after the storm.
Etymology
From Old French piteable, from pity + -able.