piteous
adjective
evoking or deserving pity; pathetic.
piteousness
-
a word derived from
piteous.
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.
Ms. Rabe strikes notes of piteousness, pride and, movingly, steadfast love, when she says: “Adieu, my lord. I never wished to see you sorry; now I trust I shall.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026
For those who mourn the dead — scribes like the Greek poet Simonides, who wrote epitaphs for fallen warriors — your voice must tremble with poignancy, with a certain piteousness.
From New York Times ● Sep. 26, 2019
Singing superbly and acting with intensity, Mr. Bielfield pitched his portrayal ideally between oddity and piteousness.
From New York Times ● Dec. 10, 2012
The piteousness of her fear stings sharply when we find Harry confined to a wheelchair after the disorienting interlude of the battlefront scene.
From New York Times ● Jul. 27, 2011
Her voice was agitated almost to tears, and she had dropped her work and clasped her hands together with a piteousness of appeal.
From A Beautiful Alien by Julia Magruder
