pitiful

Adjective

• 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
    

• bad; unfortunate
  • my finances were in a deplorable state
    
  • a lamentable decision
    
  • her clothes were in sad shape
    
  • a sorry state of affairs
    

• inspiring mixed contempt and pity
  • their efforts were pathetic
    
  • pitiable lack of character
    
  • pitiful exhibition of cowardice
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  hapless , miserable , misfortunate , pathetic , piteous , pitiable , poor , wretched , deplorable , distressing , lamentable , sad , sorry