pathetic

adjective

pa·thet·ic pə-ˈthe-tik How to pronounce pathetic (audio)

: having a capacity to move one to either compassionate or contemptuous pity

: marked by sorrow or melancholy : sad

: pitifully inferior or inadequate

the restaurant's pathetic service

: absurd, laughable

a pathetic costume

pathetical

pə-ˈthe-ti-kəl How to pronounce pathetic (audio)

adjective

pathetically

pə-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce pathetic (audio)

adverb

Example Sentences

The spectacle seen in the theater of the news presented the American President as a failed suppliant instead of a conquering hero—an ailing and pathetic figure dismissed with the smile of pity and the gift of some sweet candies shaped as miniature sculptures of the President's two dogs.

Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, March 1992 They were brave, and bravely she served them a pathetic meal of nothing but limitless bowls of little potatoes boiled in their jackets …

M. F. K. Fisher, With Bold Knife and Fork, 1969 Her face looked pale and extinguished, as if dimmed by the rich red of her dress. She struck Archer, of a sudden, as a pathetic and even pitiful figure.

Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence, 1920 The blind, old dog was a pathetic sight. The team was pretty bad last year, but this year they're downright pathetic. The story he told was a pathetic attempt to cover up a lie. His car is a pathetic piece of junk. See More

Recent Examples on the Web The Ravens got beat physically, and communication on the back end was pathetic.

Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 18 Sep. 2022 Some was pathetic, like going after pinball parlors.

Sam Kean, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 Being more than two inches shorter than me is pathetic, respectfully.

Alex Watt, The New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2022 So their roles—while pathetic and annoying—may also be important.

Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 4 Sep. 2022 True confessions from a plant reporter and devotee of more than 40 years: My first foray into gardening was a pathetic disaster.

Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2022 Currently, e-bikes are trapped in the weird smear between pathetic, loser bicycles and pitiable, low-end motorbikes.

Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Aug. 2022 On Christmas Day, Gorbachev resigned, a dignified but pathetic figure, now powerless and reduced to running his foundation and writing his memoirs.

Ronald Suny, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2022 What a pathetic episode at a school that already has more than a few issues with which to deal, issues to correct, issues to make right.

Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 28 Aug. 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French pathetique "provoking emotion," borrowed from Late Latin pathēticus "affecting the emotions," borrowed from Greek pathētikós "capable of feeling, emotional, receptive, passive," from pathētós "subject to suffering, liable to external influence" (verbal adjective from the base path- "experience, undergo, suffer") + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at pathos

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

pathetic

adjective

as in pitiful

deserving of one's pity the plight of the homeless family was quite pathetic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

pitiful
poor
miserable
wretched
sorry
sad
pitiable
horrible
piteous
terrible
disturbing
impressive
heartbreaking
deplorable
awful
lamentable
rueful
regrettable
emotional
inspiring
mournful
affecting
heartrending
moving
poignant
touching
upsetting
distressing
stirring
sorrowful
woeful
grievous

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

unimpressive
uninspiring

as in sad

causing unhappiness a pathetic story that made her cry

Synonyms & Similar Words

sad
depressing
unfortunate
heartbreaking
mournful
tearful
dismal
saddening
disturbing
melancholy
dreary
teary
sorry
deplorable
drear
lamentable
woeful
heartrending
distressful
perturbing
distressing
touching
disheartening
poignant
affecting
discouraging
grievous
disquieting
dispiriting
moving
discomforting
discomposing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

happy
cheery
inspiring
delightful
glad
pleasant
heartening
uplifting
satisfying
agreeable
enjoyable
stimulating
cheering
stirring
heartwarming
welcome
pleasing
pleasurable
exhilarating
thrilling

as in lame

deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy) the crowd mercilessly booed the boxer's pathetic performance

Synonyms & Similar Words

pitiful
sad
lame
miserable
disgusting
pitiable
wretched
contemptible
despicable
shameful
disgraceful
bad
poor
sorry
worthless
shameful
deplorable
abominable
odious
notorious
hateful
stinking
infamous
detestable
disreputable
abhorrent
lousy
ignominious
shocking
unworthy
beastly
discreditable
inferior
dishonorable
sordid
scandalous
misbegotten
unsavory
meritless

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

decent
admirable
respectable
worthy
outstanding
excellent
commendable
noteworthy
notable
perfect
creditable
meritorious
noticeable
laudable
praiseworthy
noble
honorable
reputable
presentable
redoubtable
honest
flawless
straight

as in ridiculous

so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter the pundit's latest book is another pathetic jumble of factual errors, half-baked political views, and baseless accusations

Synonyms & Similar Words

ridiculous
absurd
silly
stupid
foolish
comical
laughable
ludicrous
dumb
unreasonable
farcical
incredible
preposterous
irrational
derisive
risible
insane
derisory
idiotic
crazy
moronic
inane
fantastic
asinine
imbecile
fatuous
mad
fantastical
nonsensical
cockamamie
cockamamy
unreal
unbelievable
brainless
witless
lunatic
daft
imbecilic
unwise
simpleminded
illogical
inconceivable
unrealistic
for the birds
jerky
loony
nutty
harebrained
senseless
wacky
dotty
daffy
idiotical
half-baked
screwball
cuckoo
kooky
weak-minded
half-witted
whacky
looney
balmy
kookie
far-fetched
cockeyed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

serious
solemn
earnest
reasonable
realistic
logical
sensible
rational
credible
conceivable
believable

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of pathetic are affecting, impressive, moving, poignant, and touching. While all these words mean "having the power to produce deep emotion," pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

Affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

In some situations, the words impressive and pathetic are roughly equivalent. However, impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

The synonyms moving and pathetic are sometimes interchangeable, but moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

a moving appeal for contributions

While in some cases nearly identical to pathetic, poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.

a poignant documentary on the homeless

Although the words touching and pathetic have much in common, touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.

the touching innocence in a child's eyes

单词	pathetic
释义	pathetic adjective pa·thet·ic pə-ˈthe-tik 1 : having a capacity to move one to either compassionate or contemptuous pity 2 : marked by sorrow or melancholy : sad 3 : pitifully inferior or inadequate the restaurant's pathetic service 4 : absurd, laughable a pathetic costume pathetical pə-ˈthe-ti-kəl adjective pathetically pə-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē adverb Synonyms heartbreaking heartrending miserable piteous pitiable pitiful poor rueful sorry wretched See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences The spectacle seen in the theater of the news presented the American President as a failed suppliant instead of a conquering hero—an ailing and pathetic figure dismissed with the smile of pity and the gift of some sweet candies shaped as miniature sculptures of the President's two dogs. Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, March 1992 They were brave, and bravely she served them a pathetic meal of nothing but limitless bowls of little potatoes boiled in their jackets … M. F. K. Fisher, With Bold Knife and Fork, 1969 Her face looked pale and extinguished, as if dimmed by the rich red of her dress. She struck Archer, of a sudden, as a pathetic and even pitiful figure. Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence, 1920 The blind, old dog was a pathetic sight. The team was pretty bad last year, but this year they're downright pathetic. The story he told was a pathetic attempt to cover up a lie. His car is a pathetic piece of junk. See More Recent Examples on the Web The Ravens got beat physically, and communication on the back end was pathetic. Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 18 Sep. 2022 Some was pathetic, like going after pinball parlors. Sam Kean, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 Being more than two inches shorter than me is pathetic, respectfully. Alex Watt, The New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2022 So their roles—while pathetic and annoying—may also be important. Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 4 Sep. 2022 True confessions from a plant reporter and devotee of more than 40 years: My first foray into gardening was a pathetic disaster. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2022 Currently, e-bikes are trapped in the weird smear between pathetic, loser bicycles and pitiable, low-end motorbikes. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Aug. 2022 On Christmas Day, Gorbachev resigned, a dignified but pathetic figure, now powerless and reduced to running his foundation and writing his memoirs. Ronald Suny, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2022 What a pathetic episode at a school that already has more than a few issues with which to deal, issues to correct, issues to make right. Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 28 Aug. 2022 See More Word History Etymology borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French pathetique "provoking emotion," borrowed from Late Latin pathēticus "affecting the emotions," borrowed from Greek pathētikós "capable of feeling, emotional, receptive, passive," from pathētós "subject to suffering, liable to external influence" (verbal adjective from the base path- "experience, undergo, suffer") + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at pathos First Known Use 1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing pathetic pathetic fallacy pathetic fallacy Kids Definition pathetic adjective pa·thet·ic pə-ˈthe-tik : causing feelings of pity, tenderness, or sorrow "You talk about some pathetic, tortured-looking little faces." Christopher Paul Curtis, The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963 pathetic adjective 1 as in pitiful deserving of one's pity the plight of the homeless family was quite pathetic Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance pitiful poor miserable wretched sorry sad pitiable horrible piteous terrible disturbing impressive heartbreaking deplorable awful lamentable rueful regrettable emotional inspiring mournful affecting heartrending moving poignant touching upsetting distressing stirring sorrowful woeful grievous Antonyms & Near Antonyms unimpressive uninspiring 2 as in sad causing unhappiness a pathetic story that made her cry Synonyms & Similar Words sad depressing unfortunate heartbreaking mournful tearful dismal saddening disturbing melancholy dreary teary sorry deplorable drear lamentable woeful heartrending distressful perturbing distressing touching disheartening poignant affecting discouraging grievous disquieting dispiriting moving discomforting discomposing Antonyms & Near Antonyms happy cheery inspiring delightful glad pleasant heartening uplifting satisfying agreeable enjoyable stimulating cheering stirring heartwarming welcome pleasing pleasurable exhilarating thrilling See More 3 as in lame deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy) the crowd mercilessly booed the boxer's pathetic performance Synonyms & Similar Words pitiful sad lame miserable disgusting pitiable wretched contemptible despicable shameful disgraceful bad poor sorry worthless shameful deplorable abominable odious notorious hateful stinking infamous detestable disreputable abhorrent lousy ignominious shocking unworthy beastly discreditable inferior dishonorable sordid scandalous misbegotten unsavory meritless Antonyms & Near Antonyms decent admirable respectable worthy outstanding excellent commendable noteworthy notable perfect creditable meritorious noticeable laudable praiseworthy noble honorable reputable presentable redoubtable honest flawless straight See More 4 as in ridiculous so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter the pundit's latest book is another pathetic jumble of factual errors, half-baked political views, and baseless accusations Synonyms & Similar Words ridiculous absurd silly stupid foolish comical laughable ludicrous dumb unreasonable farcical incredible preposterous irrational derisive risible insane derisory idiotic crazy moronic inane fantastic asinine imbecile fatuous mad fantastical nonsensical cockamamie cockamamy unreal unbelievable brainless witless lunatic daft imbecilic unwise simpleminded illogical inconceivable unrealistic for the birds jerky loony nutty harebrained senseless wacky dotty daffy idiotical half-baked screwball cuckoo kooky weak-minded half-witted whacky looney balmy kookie far-fetched cockeyed Antonyms & Near Antonyms serious solemn earnest reasonable realistic logical sensible rational credible conceivable believable See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of pathetic are affecting, impressive, moving, poignant, and touching. While all these words mean "having the power to produce deep emotion," pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt. pathetic attempts to justify misconduct Affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos. an affecting deathbed reunion In some situations, the words impressive and pathetic are roughly equivalent. However, impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction. an impressive list of achievements The synonyms moving and pathetic are sometimes interchangeable, but moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy. a moving appeal for contributions While in some cases nearly identical to pathetic, poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities. a poignant documentary on the homeless Although the words touching and pathetic have much in common, touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion. the touching innocence in a child's eyes
随便看	sublimely sublimeness sublimenesses sublimer sublimers sublimes sublimest subliminal subliminally sublimination subliming sublimings sublimise sublimised sublimises sublimising sublimities sublimits sublimity sublimize sublimized sublimizes sublimizing subline sublinear

pathetic

adjective

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing pathetic

Kids Definition

adjective

adjective

Synonym Chooser