Pitiful

Quick meaning: Pitiful is an adjective meaning So appalling or sad that one feels or should feel sorry for it; eliciting pity.

Meaning

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

More Meanings

1. Eliciting contempt.
2. Of an amount or number: very small.
3. (colloquial, dialect) In a pitiful manner; pitifully; piteously; pathetically.
4. (archaic) Feeling pity; merciful.

Example Sentences

Scotland has a pitiful climate.

A pitiful number of students bothered to turn up.

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

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

Word Forms

• pitifuller
• pitifullest
• pitifull

Synonyms for pitiful

Depending on context, synonyms include compassionate, pathetic, pathetisad, piteous, pitiable, pitisome.

Antonyms for pitiful

Common opposites include nonpathetic, unpiteous.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include pitiable, pathetic, piteous, wretched, miserable, lamentable.

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