pity 1 of 2

pity

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun pity contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pity are commiseration, compassion, condolence, and sympathy. While all these words mean "the act or capacity for sharing the painful feelings of another," pity implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress.

felt pity for the captives

When is it sensible to use commiseration instead of pity?

The words commiseration and pity can be used in similar contexts, but commiseration suggests pity expressed outwardly in exclamations, tears, or words of comfort.

murmurs of commiseration filled the loser's headquarters

When can compassion be used instead of pity?

While in some cases nearly identical to pity, compassion implies pity coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare.

treats the homeless with great compassion

When might condolence be a better fit than pity?

The synonyms condolence and pity are sometimes interchangeable, but condolence applies chiefly to formal expression of grief to one who has suffered loss.

expressed their condolences to the widow

When could sympathy be used to replace pity?

In some situations, the words sympathy and pity are roughly equivalent. However, sympathy often suggests a tender concern but can also imply a power to enter into another's emotional experience of any sort.

went to my best friend for sympathy
in sympathy with her desire to locate her natural parents

Example 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 pity
Noun
This would be a pity for nature but also a major loss for the growers. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2025 Manipulating people’s real concern and pity was critical to Belle’s game. Candice Frederick, TIME, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
And Oz, who told Eve that Sofia was to be pitied and avoided, helped cover it up so Carmine could keep killing women — leaving Sofia to rot in Arkham. Andy Andersen, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2024 In particular, pity the pollster who has to field a survey in Oklahoma, Wyoming or Hawaii. Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for pity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pity
Noun
  • The much bigger shame with Social Security is that it’s forced savings sans any kind of equity component.
    John Tamny, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • There’s no shame at this no-audition choir that’s teaching Angelenos to sing.
    Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Unsurprisingly, the anti-liberal counterrevolutionaries of today have no sympathy for this legacy.
    Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 19 Mar. 2025
  • As for the tens of thousands of government employees fired or in limbo, Krygier doesn’t have much sympathy.
    Daniel de Visé, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Oscar Wilde’s infamous antihero Dorian Gray probably would’ve loved to have a barrage of cameras pointed at him, reflecting his gorgeous visage.
    Christian Lewis, Variety, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Instead, those who love Maryland basketball were left to wonder if the picture was already crumbling before their eyes.
    Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The capital city of the world’s happiest country exemplifies what makes Finland such an ideal spot for happiness—not just focusing on health or wealth alone, Helsinki places emphasis on things like community, kindness, trust in society, and easy access to nature and green spaces.
    Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025
  • Those include bullying, friendship, school, kindness/empathy, self-worth/confidence, and mental health/well-being.
    Liz Regalia, Parents, 20 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Founded on principles of compassion, their treatments blend clinical psychology and Eastern philosophy together, which many have found to be a beneficial approach.
    Kara Markley Sterling, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
  • Beyond lessons, volunteers offer support and compassion to ensure that the next generation doesn’t lose hope during one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.
    Abdulghani Aqlan, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • With tech in one hand and heart in the other, Riri is forced to navigate a new kind of battle—one that challenges her intellect, her upbringing, and her purpose.
    Okla Jones, Essence, 30 Mar. 2025
  • But against a champion like Djokovic, heart and head were not enough.
    Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 29 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • It was not understood that the artist, through rigorous pictorial research, was aiming to chart the history of the image of female genitalia in the history of art from the classical period onward.
    Paola Ugolini, Artforum, 1 Apr. 2025
  • At least conceptually, the Giants understand that the leap from 3-14 to Super Bowl contender cannot be made in a year.
    Howard Megdal, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pity. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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