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View synonyms for pathetic

pathetic

[ puh-thet-ik ]

adjective

  1. causing or evoking pity, sympathetic sadness, sorrow, etc.; pitiful; pitiable:

    Conditions at the refugee camp were far more pathetic than anything our training had prepared us for.

    Synonyms: sad, tragic, piteous, plaintive

  2. Informal. miserably or contemptibly inadequate:

    In return for our investment we get a pathetic three percent interest. The carpenter we hired is pathetic.

  3. Archaic. pertaining to, caused by, or affecting the emotions:

    pathetic outbursts.

    Synonyms: tender, touching, emotional



pathetic

/ pəˈθɛtɪk /

adjective

  1. evoking or expressing pity, sympathy, etc
  2. distressingly inadequate

    the old man sat huddled in front of a pathetic fire

  3. informal.
    ludicrously or contemptibly uninteresting or worthless

    the standard of goalkeeping in amateur football today is pathetic

  4. obsolete.
    of or affecting the feelings
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

plural noun

  1. pathetic sentiments
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • paˈthetically, adverb
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Other Words From

  • pa·thet·i·cal·ly adverb
  • pa·thet·i·cal·ness noun
  • hy·per·pa·thet·ic adjective
  • hy·per·pa·thet·i·cal·ly adverb
  • qua·si-pa·thet·ic adjective
  • qua·si-pa·thet·i·cal·ly adverb
  • un·pa·thet·ic adjective
  • un·pa·thet·i·cal·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pathetic1

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French pathétique or from Late Latin pathēticus, from Greek pathētikós “capable of emotion, impassioned, sensitive,” equivalent to pathēt(ós) “subject to suffering; one who has suffered; subject to external influence or change; (in medicine) diseased” (derivative of páschein “to suffer”) + -ikos adjective suffix; -ic
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pathetic1

C16: from French pathétique, via Late Latin from Greek pathetikos sensitive, from pathos suffering; see pathos
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Example Sentences

That would be a pathetic display of subservience from a co-equal branch of government.

From Salon

It may sound pathetic, but for my upcoming non-anniversary I wrote in my planner to order a pizza.

From Salon

He told the Commons the government's proposals were "pathetic" and "should have been done centuries ago".

From BBC

McLendon-Covey spoke to the Los Angeles Times about what she was looking for in a new part, haunted hospitals, and her love of playing a character with a pathetic personal life.

He remains a pathetic bully, but the Democrats have failed to overcome him.

From Salon

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