adj Uncommon

pitiful

PIHT-ih-fl

Pitiful (adj) means So sad, weak, or inadequate that it arouses pity or contempt. Example: “The team put in a pitiful performance, losing 6-0.”

adj

So sad, weak, or inadequate that it arouses pity or contempt.

"The team put in a pitiful performance, losing 6-0."

"He offered a pitiful apology that satisfied no one."

How to use pitiful

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBad or weak enough to make people feel sorry for it — or, often, to look down on it.

Common mistake

Often used to criticize rather than express real sympathy, e.g. "a pitiful excuse."

Common pairings

a pitiful excuse pitiful attempt pitiful sight

pitifuller comparative, more pitiful comparative, pitifullest superlative, most pitiful superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The team put in a _____ performance, losing 6-0.

From Middle English pityful, formed from pity + -ful.

Origin: Middle English

compassionate pathetic piteous pathetisad pitiable pitisome poor rueful ruthful sorry-ass snivelly

nonpathetic un-pathetic unpiteous unpitiable unrueful

good bad mean beautiful OK poor sad excellent

dutiful fanciful merciful beautiful plentiful bountiful

What is the meaning of pitiful?

"pitiful" (adj) means so sad, weak, or inadequate that it arouses pity or contempt.

What is another word for pitiful?

Other words for "pitiful" include compassionate, pathetic, piteous, pathetisad, pitiable, pitisome.

What is the opposite of pitiful?

Opposites of "pitiful" include nonpathetic, un-pathetic, unpiteous, unpitiable, unrueful.

How do you use pitiful in a sentence?

Example: "The team put in a pitiful performance, losing 6-0."

good bad mean beautiful OK poor sad excellent