pitiable

adjective

piti·​able ˈpi-tē-ə-bəl How to pronounce pitiable (audio)
Synonyms of pitiablenext
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
ˈpi-tē-ə-blē How to pronounce pitiable (audio)
adverb

Synonyms

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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.
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 No wonder the film nabbed so many Oscar nominations: Academy members are always going to want their cinematic Mexico to be a pitiable hellhole in need of salvation and a reminder to change its errant ways, a trope that goes back to the days of Manifest Destiny. — Fidel Martinez, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025 The series’ pitiable ghost is Kayako (Takako Fuji), at the receiving end of violence in life, prone to continue inflicting violence on others in death. — Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025 Is there a more pitiable character in Virgin River than this woman, who was chasing after Jack while pregnant with a villain’s twins for at least a dozen years and now has to deal with the villain and the twins? — Sara Netzley, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024 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

Browse Nearby Words

pithy gall
pitiable
pitier
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pitiable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pitiable. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pitiable

Nglish: Translation of pitiable for Spanish Speakers

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