take pity on

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.

My role was to kick Elvis in the shin so a girl he liked would take pity on him.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

“I just have to have faith for a miracle to happen and the government to take pity on old people like me.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 31, 2023

Arrested in June, the suspect initially said that the story of the accident was a "bad joke", invented in order to make his ex-girlfriend take pity on him.

From BBC • Nov. 18, 2022

Poe Ratcho: A play-on-words for poveraccio, meaning “poor guy” or someone you take pity on.

From The Verge • Mar. 5, 2022

It was on the tip of her tongue to ask him for help, because he would surely take pity on a young girl who needed it—and take out any wolves she met along the way.

From "Breadcrumbs" by Anne Ursu