Definition

1. Noun:

   • A feeling of sadness and sympathy for someone else's misfortune: "Pity" is the compassionate sorrow you feel when you see another person or creature suffering.
   • A cause for regret or disappointment: "Pity" can also refer to an unfortunate or disappointing situation or fact.

2. Verb:

   • To feel sorrow and sympathy for the misfortunes of another: To "pity" someone is to feel compassion or sorrow for their suffering.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Feeling of Compassion):
  • She looked at the lost dog with pity.
  • I felt a surge of pity for the refugees.
• Noun (Cause for Regret):
  • It's a pity you can't come to the party.
  • What a pity the concert was canceled.
• Verb:
  • I pity anyone who has to work in those conditions.
  • He didn't want to be pitied; he wanted respect.

Advanced Usage

• "More's the pity": Used to emphasize that a situation is regrettable.
  • He won't be there, more's the pity.
• "For pity's sake": An exclamation expressing impatience or a plea for mercy.
  • For pity's sake, stop making that noise!

Variants and Related Words

• Pitiable (adj): Deserving or arousing pity.
  • The prisoners were in a pitiable state.
• Pitiful (adj):
  • Deserving or arousing pity.

    • The injured bird was a pitiful sight.
  • So small or poor as to be contemptible.

    • He made a pitiful attempt at an apology.
• Pitiless (adj): Showing no pity; merciless.
  • The pitiless heat of the desert.

Synonyms

• Noun (Compassion): Compassion, sympathy, mercy.
• Noun (Regret): Shame, misfortune.
• Verb: Feel sorry for, sympathize with.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Take pity on (someone): To act kindly towards someone because you feel sorry for them.
  • She took pity on him and gave him some food.
• Abject pity: A feeling of pity that is very strong and often mixed with a sense of superiority or disdain.
  • She regarded him not with anger, but with abject pity.

Noun

1. the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others and wanting to do something about it
2. an unfortunate development
   • it's a pity he couldn't do it
3. a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
   • the blind are too often objects of pity

Verb

1. share the suffering of