pathetically
Americanadverb
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In opposition to the efficient-market hypothesis, which holds that stock prices reflect all available information, Haugen argued that “the pathetically inefficient market doesn’t seem to have a clue as to what is going on.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026
That’s how I felt — pathetically so — even as far as my relationship with Saul Zaentz and the horrible contract.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 3, 2025
These remarks often came in response to some pathetically softball questions from Lemon: “You are in charge of an incredible platform, Elon. How do you feel that’s going?”
From Slate • Mar. 19, 2024
But in the conversation of pathetically foolish sports moves in this town, the Wizards finding themselves in this position ranks among the worst.
From Washington Times • Jun. 19, 2023
My voice drifts off pathetically, so I say, “I’ve been thinking that I should do some sort of home-school program.”
From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
