Pitiful

/ˈpɪt.ɪ.fl̩/ · adjective

Meaning

So appalling or sad that one feels or should feel sorry for it; eliciting pity..

Definitions by Sense

1. So appalling or sad that one feels or should feel sorry for it; eliciting pity.
2. Eliciting contempt.
3. Of an amount or number: very small.
4. (archaic) Feeling pity; merciful.
5. (colloquial, dialect) In a pitiful manner; pitifully; piteously; pathetically.

Example Sentences

Scotland has a pitiful climate.

A pitiful number of students bothered to turn up.

Some ſay that Rauens foſter forlorne children, / The vvhilſt their ovvne birds famiſh in their neſts: / Oh be to me though thy hard hart ſay no, / Nothing ſo kinde but ſomething pittifull.

Straightway, he now goes on to make a full confession; whereupon the mariners became more and more appalled, but still are pitiful.

‘She followed ’em, cryin’ pitiful, to the old boat on the Wall[.]’

Synonyms for pitiful

Antonyms for pitiful

Related Words

Word Forms

• pitifuller
• pitifullest
• pitifull
• more pitiful
• most pitiful

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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