pitiful

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "pitiful" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is very sad or unfortunate. For example, "The poor dog was suffering in the heat, it was a pitiful sight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There is regular allusion to a table which their Uncle Julian admits "is overlarge now for the pitiful remnant of our family".

The Guardian - Books

In a world where we so often judge by appearance, for instance, there is perhaps a virtue in promoting these pitiful creatures that is also consistent with a logo, opening parade and metal tower which promise to make the London games the ugliest in Olympic history.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's a pitiful aspect of the food industry that there's a pay hierarchy.

The Guardian - Business

In the recent byelection in west Belfast, there was a pitiful turnout of unionist voters in the loyalist-Protestant heartland of the Shankill Road.

The Guardian

The UK has accepted a pitiful number of UN refugees.

The Guardian

His pitiful poll ratings need a boost and he hopes to win back disgruntled teachers who may have abandoned his party.

The Guardian

With odds of her winning standing at 9/1, many are optimistic she could redeem the UK's pitiful past record on the Eurovision stage, where Englebert Humperdinck scored only 12 points in 2012 and Bonnie Tyler was placed 19th last year.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I know what's going to happen, the neurologist knows what's going to happen and I'd just rather avoid for myself and for the family seeing myself in a fairly pitiful state".

The Guardian

There the silence was broken by the same pitiful sobbing, but the mourners were invisible.

The Guardian - Opinion

Have you seen the pitiful new poem Harold Pinter has written for the LRB? Tout Londres rit!

The Guardian - Books

The budget figures show growth in private sector demand over the next two years is expected to be a pitiful 1.75%.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pitiful" to evoke empathy or highlight the inadequacy of a situation or object. Ensure the context clearly warrants the expression of pity or sorrow.

Common error

Avoid using "pitiful" in contexts where a simple description of small size or quantity is sufficient. Using a less emotionally charged word like "small" or "meager" can be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pitiful" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that evokes pity, compassion, or is markedly inadequate. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples, where "pitiful" describes states, conditions, or quantities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "pitiful" is a versatile word used to describe something that evokes feelings of pity, sorrow, or highlights a significant inadequacy. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "pitiful", it's essential to ensure the context warrants the expression of such emotion and consider alternative words like "pathetic", "miserable", or "lamentable" to achieve the intended tone. Avoid overusing "pitiful" in neutral descriptions, and instead, opt for more objective words like "small" or "meager". Overall, "pitiful" is a powerful descriptor when used appropriately to convey emotions and evaluations effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pitiable

Directly evokes feelings of pity or compassion.

pathetic

Highlights the inadequacy and vulnerability of something, often evoking contempt or pity.

miserable

Emphasizes the unhappiness and discomfort associated with something.

lamentable

Focuses on the regrettable nature of something.

wretched

Stresses the extreme unhappiness or poor quality of something.

deplorable

Emphasizes the shocking and unacceptable quality of something.

hapless

Emphasizes the unfortunate and unlucky nature of someone or something.

sorry

Indicates a state of regret or poor condition.

inadequate

Focuses on the insufficient or deficient nature of something.

negligible

Highlights the insignificance or unimportance of something.

FAQs

How can I use "pitiful" in a sentence?

You can use "pitiful" to describe something that evokes pity or is inadequate. For example, "The abandoned kitten was a pitiful sight."

What are some synonyms for "pitiful"?

Alternatives for "pitiful" include "pathetic", "miserable", or "lamentable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "pitiful" or "pitiable"?

Both "pitiful" and "pitiable" are correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. "Pitiful" might be slightly more common in contemporary usage.

When is it inappropriate to use "pitiful"?

Avoid using "pitiful" in contexts where a more neutral descriptor would suffice, such as describing a small amount. Using words like "small" or "meager" might be more fitting.