Pitiful — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈpi-ti-fəl/ piti·ful

Meaning & Definition of Pitiful

Pitiful (adjective)

  1. full of pity, compassionate
  2. deserving or arousing pity or commiseration
  3. exciting pitying contempt (as by meanness or inadequacy)

Pitiful (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy)

    "that piece of junk is a pitiful excuse for a car"

    similar: contemptible, despicable, miserable, pathetic, pitiable, sad, sorry, wretched
    related: deplorable, discreditable, disgraceful, disreputable, ignominious, infamous, misbegotten, notorious, shameful, abhorrent, abominable, beastly, detestable, hateful, lousy, odious, stinking, bad, inferior, lame, poor, disgusting, dishonorable, meritless, unworthy, worthless, scandalous, shocking, sordid, unsavory
    opposite: decent, presentable, respectable
    near: admirable, commendable, creditable, laudable, meritorious, praiseworthy, redoubtable, notable, noteworthy, noticeable, outstanding, reputable, worthy, excellent, flawless, perfect, honorable, noble, honest, straight

  2. arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust

    "a pitiful coward"

    similar: cheap, contemptible, cruddy, deplorable, despicable, dirty, grubby, lame, lousy, mean, nasty, paltry, pitiable, ratty, scabby, scummy, scurvy, sneaking, sorry, wretched
    related: abhorrent, abominable, condemnable, detestable, execrable, hateful, loathsome, odious, disgusting, reptilian, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, revulsive, discreditable, disgraceful, dishonorable, disreputable, ignominious, shameful, base, ignoble, low, shabby, sordid, squalid, vile, blamable, censurable, reprehensible, reproachable, cowardly, craven, dastardly, unethical, unprincipled, unscrupulous
    opposite: admirable, commendable, creditable, laudable, meritorious, praiseworthy
    near: high-minded, honest, honorable, noble, principled, redoubtable, reputable, right-minded, scrupulous, upright, ethical, good, moral, right, righteous, virtuous

  3. deserving of one's pity

    "pitiful orphans who had lost everything in the war"

    similar: heartbreaking, heartrending, miserable, pathetic, piteous, pitiable, poor, rueful, sorry, wretched
    related: deplorable, lamentable, regrettable, emotional, impressive, inspiring, affecting, moving, poignant, stirring, touching, awful, horrible, terrible, distressing, disturbing, upsetting, grievous, mournful, sad, sorrowful, woeful
    near: unimpressive, uninspiring

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Pitiful

The most common words with a similar meaning to Pitiful:

contemptible, despicable, miserable, pathetic, pitiable, sad, sorry, wretched, cheap, cruddy, deplorable, dirty, grubby, lame, lousy, mean, nasty, paltry, ratty, scabby, scummy, scurvy, sneaking, heartbreaking, heartrending, piteous, poor, rueful

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Pitiful

Words with the opposite meaning of Pitiful:

decent, presentable, respectable, admirable, commendable, creditable, laudable, meritorious, praiseworthy

Related Words for Pitiful

discreditable, disgraceful, disreputable, ignominious, infamous, misbegotten, notorious, shameful, abhorrent, abominable, beastly, detestable, hateful, odious, stinking, bad, inferior, disgusting, dishonorable, meritless, unworthy, worthless, scandalous, shocking, sordid, unsavory, condemnable, execrable, loathsome, reptilian

Near Antonyms of Pitiful

redoubtable, notable, noteworthy, noticeable, outstanding, reputable, worthy, excellent, flawless, perfect, honorable, noble, honest, straight, high-minded, principled, right-minded, scrupulous, upright, ethical, good, moral, right, righteous, virtuous, unimpressive, uninspiring

Word Forms of Pitiful

Derived words: pitifully (adverb), pitifulness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Pitiful

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Pitiful

What does "Pitiful" mean?

"Pitiful" means full of pity, compassionate. As an adjective, it is defined as: full of pity, compassionate. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Pitiful"?

Other words for "Pitiful" include contemptible, despicable, miserable, pathetic, pitiable, sad, sorry and wretched. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Pitiful" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Pitiful"?

There are 98 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Pitiful". Common alternatives include contemptible, despicable, miserable, pathetic, pitiable, sad, sorry, wretched, cheap and cruddy.

What is the opposite of "Pitiful"?

Antonyms of "Pitiful" include decent, presentable, respectable, admirable, commendable, creditable, laudable and meritorious. Near antonyms include redoubtable, notable, noteworthy and noticeable.

How do you use "Pitiful" in a sentence?

Examples of "Pitiful" in a sentence: "that piece of junk is a pitiful excuse for a car"; "a pitiful coward"; "pitiful orphans who had lost everything in the war".

Is "Pitiful" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Pitiful" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Pitiful"?

"Pitiful" is pronounced /ˈpi-ti-fəl/ and divided into syllables as piti·ful.

What is the origin of the word "Pitiful"?

First known use: 14th century.