pitiful

adjective

piti·​ful ˈpi-ti-fəl How to pronounce pitiful (audio)
1
archaic : full of pity : compassionate
2
a
: deserving or arousing pity or commiseration
b
: exciting pitying contempt (as by meanness or inadequacy)
pitiful wages
pitifully adverb
pitifulness noun

Examples of pitiful in a Sentence

She made a pitiful attempt to complete her work. that piece of junk is a pitiful excuse for a car
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.
For better or worse, high-end eco-resorts of this type tend to focus on hyper-local ingredients often grown in a pitiful little garden behind the kitchen. Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 30 May 2025 From ’01 to ’20, the Knicks played in only 30 postseason games, posting a pitiful 9-21 record. Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 18 May 2025 Not a week goes by without a new sensational report lamenting the educational aspirations, well-being expectations or pitiful work ethic of people born post-millennium. Lauren Coulman, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 The pitiful performance by the Texas Rangers against the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2016 divisional round. Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for pitiful

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pitiful was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Pitiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pitiful. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

pitiful

adjective
piti·​ful ˈpit-i-fəl How to pronounce pitiful (audio)
1
: deserving or arousing pity or sympathy
a pitiful mongrel
2
: deserving pitying scorn (as by not being adequate)
a pitiful excuse
pitifully adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on pitiful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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