Definitions for: Pitiful


[adj] inspiring mixed contempt and pity; "their efforts were pathetic"; "pitiable lack of character"; "pitiful exhibition of cowardice"
[adj] deserving or inciting pity; "a hapless victim"; "miserable victims of war"; "the shabby room struck her as extraordinarily pathetic"- Galsworthy; "piteous appeals for help"; "pitiable homeless children"; "a pitiful fate"; "couldn't rescue the poor fellow"; "his poor distorted limbs"; "a wretched life"
[adj] bad; unfortunate; "my finances were in a deplorable state"; "a lamentable decision"; "her clothes were in sad shape"; "a sorry state of affairs"



Webster (1913) Definition: Pit"i*ful, a.
1. Full of pity; tender-hearted; compassionate; kind;
merciful; sympathetic.

The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
--James v. 11.

2. Piteous; lamentable; eliciting compassion.

A thing, indeed, very pitiful and horrible.
--Spenser.

3. To be pitied for littleness or meanness; miserable;
paltry; contemptible; despicable.

That's villainous, and shows a most pitiful ambition
in the fool that uses it. --Shak.

Syn: Despicable; mean; paltry. See Contemptible. --
Pit"i*ful*ly, adv. -- Pit"i*ful*ness, n.

Synonyms: bad, contemptible, deplorable, distressing, hapless, lamentable, miserable, misfortunate, pathetic, piteous, pitiable, poor, sad, sorry, unfortunate, wretched

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