pitiable

adjective

piti·​able ˈpi-tē-ə-bəl How to pronounce pitiable (audio)
1
: deserving or exciting pity : lamentable
pitiable victims
2
: of a kind to evoke mingled pity and contempt especially because of inadequacy
a pitiable excuse
pitiableness noun
pitiably adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for pitiable

contemptible, despicable, pitiable, sorry, scurvy mean arousing or deserving scorn.

contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values.

a contemptible liar

despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation.

a despicable crime

pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.

a pitiable attempt at tragedy

sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness.

this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car

scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.

a scurvy crew of hangers-on

Examples of pitiable in a Sentence

the sales presentation was a pitiable display of ineptitude and disorganization a pitiable attempt at singing that generated snickers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trump is enacting Project 2025 nearly to the letter, deploying executive orders, lawsuits, and rhetorical bombast in an effort to force judges, law firms, cultural institutions, university presidents, and press barons into postures of pitiable obedience. David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025 Federal aid cuts are likely, given the current dismantling of our nation’s already-pitiable social safety net. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2025 Part of that is Doug, who is too pitiable to make a compelling center. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 18 Mar. 2025 Visiting the White Lotus’ Thailand hotel to learn new techniques and share her own, Belinda’s arc is less pitiable this season, but her purpose is arguably even more critical. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pitiable

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pitiable was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Pitiable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pitiable. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

pitiable

adjective
piti·​able ˈpit-ē-ə-bəl How to pronounce pitiable (audio)
pitiably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on pitiable

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