pity
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.
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When they first appeared on screen, and for most of their time giving evidence, Donaldson stared at them with a look of what seemed like pity or sadness on his face.
From BBC ● Jun. 22, 2026
"It's a pity" China has missed out on every World Cup except 2002, he said, given football's popularity at home.
From Barron's ● Jun. 10, 2026
Maybe L.A. voters took pity on visitors to their grungy city who are required to pay a surcharge merely to hail an Uber from Los Angeles International Airport.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2026
Antonelli said: "It was very difficult to get the tyres in the right window. It was a pity to miss out by such a small amount but George did a great lap."
From BBC ● May 23, 2026
He was small in build and didn’t look much beyond primary school age, and it filled me with pity to see him doubled over, hacking like an old man.
From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo
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What If they knew the panoply of pities we can name—pities for them, for ourselves?
From Scientific American ● Sep. 23, 2023
Sheila Veal, 62, pities the alleged shooter, saying his consumption and propagation of such a hateful ideology didn’t allow him to fully engage with the world.
From Washington Post ● May 20, 2022
On days when my anxiety is raging, I picture myself as an old woman whom everyone pities, sitting all alone at my niece’s wedding.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2021
Like the unanalyzed souls Karen pities for their lack of self-knowledge, the reader of Sarah’s “novel” is blind.
From Slate ● Apr. 9, 2019
“Bless her heart! She pities him, so she is good to him,” said Jo, beaming at her from the croquet ground.
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
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Véra resents being pitied, while Agathe cannot bear to confront her feelings of guilt.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 7, 2026
His fans rolled with his excesses and pitied his life tragedies.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 1, 2025
The mayor grew up in a building so decrepit — filthy hallways, no private toilets, no showers — that his friends in nearby concrete towers pitied him.
From New York Times ● Apr. 12, 2024
If I lived nearby, I could help out easily with prepared meals or some such, but I don’t want to make them uncomfortable or pitied by giving them cold hard cash.
From Slate ● Dec. 2, 2022
Mr. Curtain shook his head as if he pitied them.
From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart
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“The waits are insane,” he said, pitying people who had only a day in the park and were hoping to hit all of the highlights by bus.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2026
Lowery has little interest in pitying Mother Mary or making her the unwitting victim of the pop star industrial complex.
From Salon ● Apr. 24, 2026
Josh: In our quest to become better recyclers, Melissa, I found myself pitying the ephemeral life of a pizza box.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 19, 2024
"I didn't want it to be a 'doom and gloom moment' because I can't deal with people pitying me," she says.
From BBC ● Sep. 29, 2023
His sons had given him pitying looks, eVen young Marie.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
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Vocabulary lists containing pity
"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker
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"Fine?" Vocabulary from the short story
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"The People Could Fly," Vocabulary from the folk tale
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