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Synonyms

pitying

American  
[pit-ee-ing] / ˈpɪt i ɪŋ /

adjective

  1. full of or expressing pity.

    a pitying look.

Other Word Forms

  • pityingly adverb
  • unpitying adjective

Etymology

Origin of pitying

First recorded in 1640–50; pity + -ing 2

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.

Josh: In our quest to become better recyclers, Melissa, I found myself pitying the ephemeral life of a pizza box.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 19, 2024

"I didn't want it to be a 'doom and gloom moment' because I can't deal with people pitying me," she says.

From BBC • Sep. 29, 2023

That is the opinion that has gotten me the most pitying, “poor old-timer” looks.

From Washington Post • Aug. 5, 2022

Please join me in pitying whoever has to sit behind DJ D-Nice’s big hat tonight.

From The Guardian • Mar. 27, 2022

Not attractive, but adorable in the sense that you can’t help pitying him—like a wet puppy rolled in sand.

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman

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.