pitiable

[pit-ee-uh-buhl] / ˈpɪt i ə bəl /

ADJECTIVE

pitiful

Synonyms

WEAK

abject affecting afflicted arousing base beggarly cheap cheerless comfortless commiserative compassionate contemptible deplorable despicable dismal distressed distressing grievous heartbreaking heartrending inadequate insignificant joyless lamentable low mean miserable mournful moving paltry pathetic piteous poor rueful ruthful sad scurvy shabby sorrowful sorry stirring suffering tearful touching vile woeful worthless wretched

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Nobody cheers for Goneril and Regan as they wreak destruction on their pitiable father.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

As his tweet demonstrates, it's often too pitiable to warrant a word as powerful as "toxic."

From Salon • Sep. 12, 2024

So, let’s quickly run down some of the most hypocritical actors in this whole display, and check out their pitiable explanations.

From Slate • Apr. 27, 2024

Apparently, nothing, because that’s what his defense did for the umpteenth game in completing this team’s startling tumble from the doorstep of the College Football Playoff semifinals to a pitiable pile of smoking wreckage.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2023

“That will make your ladyship’s situation at present more pitiable; but it will have no effect on me.”

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

Vocabulary lists containing pitiable

Commonly Confused Words, List 2

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A Thousand Splendid Suns

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Commonly Confused Words, List 8

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