pitiable

/'pitiəbl/

Thân thiện

The homeless children were a pitiable sight.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Deserving or arousing pity: "pitiable" describes something or someone that is so unfortunate, sad, or in such a bad condition that it evokes a feeling of sorrow and compassion.
   • Contemptibly poor or small: "pitiable" can also describe something that is so inadequate, weak, or insignificant that it inspires a mixture of pity and scorn.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The refugees were in a pitiable state, with no food or shelter. (The condition of the refugees was so bad it deserved pity.)
  • He made a pitiable attempt to explain his absence. (His attempt to explain was so weak it was almost contemptible.)
  • The old dog's pitiable whining broke my heart. (The dog's sad sounds made me feel very sorry for it.)

Advanced Usage

• "pitiable condition/state": used to emphasize an extremely unfortunate and sad physical or situational state.
  • After the flood, the village was left in a pitiable condition.
• "pitiable sight": describes something that is visually very sad to see.
  • The abandoned factory was a pitiable sight.

Variants and Related Words

• Piteous (adj): arousing pity, often through an appeal for help (e.g., ).
• Pitiful (adj): very similar to "pitiable," meaning either deserving pity or contemptibly inadequate.
• Pathetic (adj): can mean arousing pity, but more commonly means miserably inadequate or contemptible.

Synonyms

• Deplorable: deserving strong condemnation; shockingly bad, often in a way that invites pity.
• Lamentable: regrettable, unfortunate, and often pitiable.
• Wretched: in a state of deep misery or very poor quality.

Antonyms

• Admirable: deserving respect and approval.
• Commendable: worthy of praise.
• Fortunate: favored by good luck.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• A pitiable figure: a person who appears very sad and deserving of pity.
  • After losing his job and his home, he became a pitiable figure in the town.
• To be in a pitiable plight: to be in a very sad and difficult situation.
  • The injured bird was in a pitiable plight, unable to fly.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. deserving or inciting pity
   • a hapless victim
   • miserable victims of war
   • the shabby room struck her as extraordinarily pathetic- Galsworthy
   • piteous appeals for help
   • pitiable homeless children
   • a pitiful fate
   • Oh, you poor thing
   • his poor distorted limbs
   • a wretched life
2. inspiring mixed contempt and pity
   • their efforts were pathetic
   • pitiable lack of character
   • pitiful exhibition of cowardice

Từ đồng nghĩa

• hapless
• miserable
• misfortunate
• pathetic
• piteous
• pitiful
• poor
• wretched