pitiable

[ pit-ee-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. evoking or deserving pity; lamentable:

   pitiable homeless pets.

2. evoking or deserving contemptuous pity; miserable; contemptible:

   a pitiable lack of character.

pitiable

/ ˈpɪtɪəbəl /

adjective

1. exciting or deserving pity or contempt

Derived Forms

• ˈpitiableness, noun
• ˈpitiably, adverb

Other Words From

• pit·i·a·ble·ness noun
• pit·i·a·bly adverb
• un·pit·i·a·ble adjective
• un·pit·i·a·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pitiable¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Old French piteable, equivalent to pite(er) “to pity” + -able adjective suffix; pity, -able

Synonym Study

See pitiful.

Example Sentences

Syrians are being massacred nearly every day, and sending out pitiable cries for help.

From The Daily Beast

The pitiable last photo of the naked megastar projected into the courtroom as Rogers testified is unforgettable.

From The Daily Beast

Amy is, at most, a pitiable woman trapped in a marriage that she has no idea how to fix.

From The Daily Beast

All around us, pundits spend their time bemoaning the pitiable state of men.

From The Daily Beast

Eerie orange cones captured in an aerial photograph will show each precise spot where a part of this pitiable child came to rest.

From The Daily Beast

A very few weeks flew over the head of the needy man, before he was reduced to the same pitiable straits.

From Project Gutenberg

He cursed himself inwardly for a fool and a dolt—the more pitiable because he accounted himself cunning above others.

From Project Gutenberg

This loss, more than anything else, brought home to the monarch his pitiable condition.

From Project Gutenberg

Surely this pitiable case ought to be brought to the attention of the Actors' Benevolent Association.

From Project Gutenberg

His eyes were fixed and staring, and his face deadly pale, presenting altogether a most pitiable and wretched spectacle.

From Project Gutenberg