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Synonym Chooser

How is the word pitiable different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of pitiable are contemptible, despicable, scurvy, and sorry. While all these words mean "arousing or deserving scorn," pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.

a pitiable attempt at tragedy

When might contemptible be a better fit than pitiable?

The synonyms contemptible and pitiable are sometimes interchangeable, but contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values.

a contemptible liar

In what contexts can despicable take the place of pitiable?

The words despicable and pitiable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation.

a despicable crime

How are the words scurvy and despicable related as synonyms of pitiable?

Scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.

a scurvy crew of hangers-on

When is sorry a more appropriate choice than pitiable?

The meanings of sorry and pitiable largely overlap; however, sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness.

this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pitiable What could have been just a mimicry of, say, Edward Norton in American History X becomes something distinctly pitiable and unnerving on its own terms, and Gosling chased the heights of this tormented-20-something performance for a long time, up until the next film on our list. 8. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 3 May 2024 The earnestness borders on pitiable — enough to warrant some modest reconsideration of the vision of one of America’s greatest visionaries. James Rosen, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023 Callas’s last years were tragic, or at least pitiable. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 29 Nov. 2023 Yet Chalamet gave him layers — a sliver of pitiable self-protection and tragic besottedness. Vulture, 8 Dec. 2023 See all Example Sentences for pitiable 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitiable
Adjective
  • The Bucs gained 156 yards on 32 carries, with the Giants’ pitiful tackling paving the way to most of those yards.
    Dan Duggan, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
  • This pitiful state of affairs has arisen even though the EU has a strong industrial base and counts four of the world’s ten largest arms exporters among its members.
    Norbert Röttgen, Foreign Affairs, 22 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Tucker Carlson's Fox News replacement:Jesse Watters is perfectly pathetic These 3 Arizona spots were ranked among top US dive bars for food.
    Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 11 Dec. 2024
  • The over is the obvious bet here given the pathetic state of both defenses.
    Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • That being said, today was a very poor outing as breadth (advancers vs. decliners) was awful in both markets.
    Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Baby is a poor sleeper, so the mother has to tend to him day and night while also running the household.
    Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.
    Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
  • My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.
    Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
  • However, sad to say, Gmail accounts remain a prime target for attackers of all sorts and understanding the threat is key to getting a grip on mitigating it.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
  • What kids gain from taking charge of their own feelings Having strong emotional regulation skills doesn’t mean kids won’t feel sad, angry, or frustrated — that’s part of being human.
    Amy Morin, Contributor, CNBC, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Star Wars Outlaws Welcome to a wretched hive of scum and villainy.
    Richard Newby, TIME, 5 Dec. 2024
  • That’s the shame of ruining what could have been the kind of win that happens once in a blue moon after a wretched first half when the offense totaled only two first downs and the Lions held a 16-0 lead and a 279-53 advantage in yardage.
    Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 29 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The electric vehicle maker still is shooting for a launch of its cheaper vehicle in the first half of next year and other models later in the year, the bank said after the meeting with investor relations chief Travis Axelrod.
    Rachael Levy, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
  • And cheap, lower-tech methods of creating and disseminating false information have been extremely successful on their own.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • But as is typical of City at the moment, there was another sudden collapse, this miserable run was extended, and Guardiola’s attempt to fix things failed spectacularly.
    Mark Critchley, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
  • The storm’s sloppy mess of heavy rain and strong winds will make for treacherous travel and a miserable day in the Northeast’s major cities.
    Elisa Raffa, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near pitiable

Cite this Entry

“Pitiable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitiable. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on pitiable

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