pathetic

USAGE SUMMARY

"pathetic" is a word that is both correct and usable in written English.
It is a word that is used to describe something that is pitiful, contemptible, or inadequate. For example: "The team's performance was pathetic; they scored no points and lost by 20."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Sport

Business

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You are a pathetic loser and a joke.

The Guardian

It's extremely bad form to deride another county's earthquake, however hilariously pathetic and underwhelming it was, unless you either come from the affected region or were a former inhabitant.

The Guardian - Opinion

The attempt to cut out Davis's through ball to the scorer was quite pathetic, allowing Naismith to roll the ball past Olejnik from only eight yards.

The Guardian - Sport

There is something uniquely pathetic about the parent who realises their smacking days are over because their once pliant, now muscular, child rises to height and hits them back.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Sharon Claydon, the Labor MP for Newcastle, which also suffered ABC job losses and programming changes, said the argument that the cuts were political is "pathetic".

The Guardian

The prime minister's pathetic refusal to go podium-to-podium with his principal rival is the most important reason for that.

The Guardian - Opinion

I once felt the same about the pathetic criticism of Clive James, but then he was nice about my daughter.

The Guardian - Books

"This is pathetic, an absolute lie," he told Reuters.

The Guardian

Clegg doesn't want to be seen embroiled in a fight for his own seat: it looks damaging, it looks pretty pathetic for the leader of the party, and it just reinforces the narrative about the Lib Dems being in trouble.

The Guardian

They pay no attention to the pathetic tribulations I've listed above.

The Guardian

"If it's a question of hundreds of people, maybe they should rent a bigger room, and if they can't afford that, it is pretty pathetic".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pathetic" to describe a person, be mindful of the potential for causing offense. Consider if a less judgmental term might be more appropriate, depending on your audience and purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "pathetic" in formal or professional writing where a more neutral or objective tone is expected. Consider alternatives like "inadequate", "unsatisfactory", or "disappointing" to maintain a professional demeanor.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "pathetic" functions primarily as a descriptor, attributing a quality of inadequacy, pitiableness, or contemptibility to a noun. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts to express negative evaluations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Opinion

14%

Sport

6%

Less common in

Business

5%

Books

5%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pathetic" is a common adjective used to express a blend of pity, contempt, or inadequacy. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and opinion pieces. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience, opting for more formal alternatives like "inadequate" or "disappointing" in professional settings. Avoid overuse to maintain impact and be mindful of potential offense when describing individuals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pitiful

Emphasizes the aspect of arousing pity or compassion, focusing on the emotional response.

pitiable

Similar to pitiful, but can sometimes suggest a more dismissive or condescending attitude.

miserable

Highlights the state of unhappiness or suffering associated with the subject.

wretched

Conveys a sense of extreme unhappiness or misfortune, often implying moral deficiency.

deplorable

Focuses on the reprehensible or shockingly bad quality of something.

contemptible

Highlights the deserving of contempt or disdain.

lamentable

Stresses the regrettable or unfortunate nature of a situation.

inadequate

Focuses on the lack of sufficient quality or ability to meet a requirement.

feeble

Emphasizes the weakness or lack of strength, either physically or metaphorically.

laughable

Suggests that something is so inadequate or absurd as to be ridiculous.

FAQs

How can I use "pathetic" in a sentence?

You can use "pathetic" to describe something that evokes pity, contempt, or is inadequate. For example, "The team's performance was "pathetic"." or "His excuses for being late were "pathetic"."

What's the difference between "pathetic" and "pitiful"?

"Pathetic" often implies contempt or scorn alongside pity, while "pitiful" primarily evokes feelings of sorrow and compassion. "Pathetic" suggests inadequacy, whereas "pitiful" emphasizes suffering.

What can I say instead of "pathetic" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you can use alternatives such as "inadequate", "unsatisfactory", or "disappointing" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to describe something as "pathetic"?

Yes, "pathetic" generally carries a negative connotation, implying that something is not only inadequate but also evokes feelings of pity, contempt, or scorn. While pity itself isn't necessarily negative, the combination with contempt often results in a negative judgment.