pathetic

adjective

pa·thet·ic pə-ˈthe-tik

: having a capacity to move one to either compassionate or contemptuous pity

: marked by sorrow or melancholy : sad

: pitifully inferior or inadequate

the restaurant's pathetic service

: absurd, laughable

a pathetic costume

pathetical

pə-ˈthe-ti-kəl

adjective

pathetically

pə-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē

adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for pathetic

moving, impressive, poignant, affecting, touching, pathetic mean having the power to produce deep emotion.

moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

a moving appeal for contributions

impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.

a poignant documentary on the homeless

affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.

the touching innocence in a child's eyes

pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

Example Sentences

The spectacle seen in the theater of the news presented the American President as a failed suppliant instead of a conquering hero—an ailing and pathetic figure dismissed with the smile of pity and the gift of some sweet candies shaped as miniature sculptures of the President's two dogs.

Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, March 1992 They were brave, and bravely she served them a pathetic meal of nothing but limitless bowls of little potatoes boiled in their jackets …

M. F. K. Fisher, With Bold Knife and Fork, 1969 Her face looked pale and extinguished, as if dimmed by the rich red of her dress. She struck Archer, of a sudden, as a pathetic and even pitiful figure.

Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence, 1920 The blind, old dog was a pathetic sight. The team was pretty bad last year, but this year they're downright pathetic. The story he told was a pathetic attempt to cover up a lie. His car is a pathetic piece of junk. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Charlie’s tiny bare tree is pathetic—as well as, like the movie, a small but potent gesture of humanity.

Paul Schrodt, Men's Health, 17 Nov. 2022 But that collection of paintings was pathetic, said Alex.

Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2022 On another front, Newsom was strong enough to set up the pathetic excuse for the campaign’s only gubernatorial debate.

George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2022 Texas A&M’s offense is pathetic, and quarterback Max Johnson injured his hand last week.

Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, 6 Oct. 2022 The Ravens got beat physically, and communication on the back end was pathetic.

Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 18 Sep. 2022 Some was pathetic, like going after pinball parlors.

Sam Kean, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 Being more than two inches shorter than me is pathetic, respectfully.

Alex Watt, The New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2022 So their roles—while pathetic and annoying—may also be important.

Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 4 Sep. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pathetic.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French pathetique "provoking emotion," borrowed from Late Latin pathēticus "affecting the emotions," borrowed from Greek pathētikós "capable of feeling, emotional, receptive, passive," from pathētós "subject to suffering, liable to external influence" (verbal adjective from the base path- "experience, undergo, suffer") + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at pathos

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of pathetic was in 1591

See more words from the same year