Pity
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /ˈpɪt.i/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Pity is a noun meaning (uncountable) A feeling of sympathy at the misfortune or suffering of someone or something.
Meaning
(uncountable) A feeling of sympathy at the misfortune or suffering of someone or something.
More Meanings
- (uncountable) Feeling of contempt one has for someone who is hopelessly inferior.
- (countable, now singular only) Something regrettable.
- (transitive) To feel pity for (someone or something).
- (transitive) To feel contempt for someone who is hopelessly inferior.
- (transitive, now regional) To make (someone) feel pity; to provoke the sympathy or compassion of.
- Ellipsis of what a pity.
- (obsolete, Early Modern) Piety.
Example Sentences
take pity on someone
He[…]has no more pity in him than a dog.
What a pity about the band breaking up. I loved them!
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord.
Word Forms
- pities
- pittie
- pitty
- pitie
- pitying
- pitied
Synonyms for pity
Depending on context, synonyms include commiserate, compassion, compassionate, condole, mercify, rue.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include ruth, shame, commiseration, compassionate, compassion, pathos.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.