pitiful

American  

[pit-i-fuhl] / ˈpɪt ɪ fəl /

adjective

1. evoking or deserving pity.

   a pitiful fate.

   Synonyms:

   pathetic, woeful, deplorable, lamentable

   Antonyms:

   delightful

2. evoking or deserving contempt by smallness, poor quality, etc..

   pitiful attempts.

   Synonyms:

   despicable, vile, base, low, mean, deplorable

   Antonyms:

   honorable

3. Archaic. full of pity; compassionate.

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pitiful British  

/ ˈpɪtɪfʊl /

adjective

1. arousing or deserving pity

2. arousing or deserving contempt

3. archaic full of pity or compassion

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Related Words

Pitiful, pitiable, piteous apply to that which excites pity (with compassion or with contempt). That which is pitiful is touching and excites pity or is mean and contemptible: a pitiful leper; a pitiful exhibition of cowardice. Pitiable may mean lamentable, or wretched and paltry: a pitiable hovel. Piteous refers only to that which exhibits suffering and misery, and is therefore heart-rending: piteous poverty.

Other Word Forms

• pitifully adverb
• pitifulness noun
• self-pitiful adjective
• self-pitifully adverb
• self-pitifulness noun
• unpitiful adjective
• unpitifully adverb
• unpitifulness noun

Etymology

Origin of pitiful

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at pity, -ful

Explanation

Pitiful means pathetic. If you don't even study for your test, you're making a pretty pitiful effort to do well. The word pitiful can be used in a range of contexts. Most commonly, you'll see it used as an expression of contempt and pity, the way the word pathetic might be used. You might also see it used in reference to something unfortunate or deserving of pity — like a homeless mother and her child, begging for money on the street. Something pitiful might also be something very small or inadequate. A pitiful attempt, is one that isn't good enough.

Example Sentences

Now, not even 25 years later, the United States Department of Agriculture was forecasting a pitiful 12 million boxes of oranges, the least in more than 100 years, the worst year since last.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

"When I see it, it's quite pitiful," said Yin, wiping away a tear.

From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026

"Such a pitiful number of films from the past year have been made by women."

From BBC • Nov. 5, 2025

Menacing as Lockjaw can be chasing after Willa with a monomania that feels nearly Terminator-esque, he’s still as pitiful as hapless Pete.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 24, 2025

When he saw me in the doorway, he closed his eyes and went limp and quiet but for a pitiful sobbing deep in his throat.

From "Beyond the Bright Sea" by Lauren Wolk

Related Words

• dismal
• distressing
• insignificant
• lamentable
• miserable
• paltry
• pathetic
• sad
• shabby
• sorry
• touching
• woeful
• wretched