filled with pity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "filled with pity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a strong feeling of compassion or sorrow for someone else's misfortune. Example: "She looked at the stray dog, filled with pity for its sad condition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

We made eye contact; his were filled with pity.

The New York Times

Indeed, she seemed to be filled with pity rather than outrage.

The Guardian - Opinion

I'm actually filled with pity for him, because he's the one who's missing the support network".

The New Yorker

The kid was filled with pity and revulsion in equal measure.

The New York Times - Health

The name now represents to her foreigners' attitude of "condescension filled with pity," and all the stereotypes outsiders have come to attach to Haitians — as "nice people, maybe," but "disorganized, uneducated, untrained, corrupt" and somehow under the thrall of voodoo, a religion that represented "everything the white Westerner was not: exotic, African, pagan, exciting, dangerous, deep".

The New York Times - Books

He is filled with pity and sympathy for her case – her poverty, her innocence, her body, how much she does not know and cannot imagine – but he is also alert to the writing of fiction itself as an activity which demands tricks that he, the poor narrator, simply does not possess, or does not find useful.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He's obnoxious no matter what, whether he's filled with self pity or having a big God's plan moment.

Forbes

"Whenever I might have been filled with self-pity, I turned it into furious anger.

The Guardian - Books

After the wave, the author, a self-absorbed Frenchman filled with self-pity, experienced a life-changing emotion: empathy.

The New York Times

As for the voice she conjures up for IT, the evil brain on the vaguely North Korean planet of Camazotz who telepathically controls the planet's inhabitants, it's as nauseating as I've ever heard in a villain, by turns wheedling, officious, cold and filled with self-pity.

The New York Times - Books

After his death, The Daily Mail of London said of his personality: "A belligerent narcissist, filled with self-pity and towering anger, he never allowed concern for others to put any restraint on his appetites, whether it be for drink or drugs or sex".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "filled with pity" to express a deep sense of sorrow and compassion for someone else's suffering or misfortune. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the intensity of the emotion.

Common error

Avoid constructing overly passive sentences with "filled with pity". Instead of saying "He was filled with pity", consider "Pity filled him" for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "filled with pity" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's emotional state. It indicates a strong feeling of compassion or sorrow. Ludwig examples show its use in describing reactions to others' misfortunes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Books

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "filled with pity" effectively conveys a strong feeling of compassion or sorrow for someone else's misfortune. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. While alternatives such as "full of compassion" or "overcome with sympathy" exist, "filled with pity" often suggests a more profound and overwhelming emotional experience. It's important to consider the context and desired nuance when choosing between these options. Usage is considered correct and usable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

full of compassion

Replaces "pity" with the more general term "compassion".

overcome with sympathy

Indicates a strong feeling of sympathy.

consumed by sympathy

Suggests an overwhelming feeling of sympathy.

moved with compassion

Focuses on the emotional impact leading to compassion.

feeling sorry for

A more straightforward expression of pity.

having compassion for

Emphasizes the act of feeling compassion.

heart filled with sorrow

Highlights the sorrowful aspect of the emotion.

showing great compassion

Highlights the outward expression of compassion.

taking pity on

Focuses on the action of showing pity.

deeply saddened by

Focuses on sadness as a response to someone's situation.

FAQs

How can I use "filled with pity" in a sentence?

Use "filled with pity" to describe someone experiencing a profound sense of compassion or sorrow for another's suffering. Example: "Looking at the homeless man, she was "filled with pity"."

What are some alternatives to "filled with pity"?

Alternatives include "full of compassion", "overcome with sympathy", or "moved with compassion". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "filled with pity" or "full of pity"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. "Filled with pity" suggests a stronger, more overwhelming emotion, while "full of pity" is slightly more neutral. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intensity of the emotion you want to express.

What's the difference between "filled with pity" and "feeling sorry for"?

"Filled with pity" implies a deeper emotional response than "feeling sorry for". While both express sympathy, "filled with pity" suggests a more profound and intense experience of compassion.