pitiable Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite inspiring mixed contempt and pity
    pitiful; pathetic.
    • their efforts were pathetic
    • pitiable lack of character
    • pitiful exhibition of cowardice
  2. adjective satellite deserving or inciting pity
    poor; wretched; pathetic; piteous; misfortunate; miserable; pitiful; hapless.
    • 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

WordNet

Pit"i*a*ble adjective
Etymology
Cf. OF. pitiable, F. pitoyable.
Definitions
  1. Deserving pity; wworthy of, or exciting, compassion; miserable; lamentable; piteous; as, pitiable persons; a pitiable condition; pitiable wretchedness. Syn. -- Sorrowful; woeful; sad. See Piteous. -- Pit"i*a*ble*ness, n. -- Pit"i*a*bly, adv.

Webster 1913