adjective
pathetic
puh-THET-ik/pəˈθetɪk/
Arousing pity or compassion.
The soaked owner's collapsed paper umbrella makes a pathetic sight.
Etymology
The suffering-related base developed into a description of something emotionally moving, then specifically something arousing pity. The contemptuous sense takes this further: something so miserable or weak that it seems ridiculous.
In context
Failure should be a motivating force, not some type of pathetic excuse to give up.
It's a pathetic attempt at a joke from you.
More examples
- Her pathetic cries for help bring the neighbors running.
- The starving horse looks pathetic, with every rib showing.
- The injured bird flutters pathetically beside the road.
Forms
pathetic · more pathetic · most pathetic
pathetically adverb — In a way that arouses pity.
Similar words
- pitiful
- Similarly arouses pity, but can also express contempt.
- pitiable
- Emphasizes deserving compassion because of suffering or misfortune.