Pathetic – Definition, Meaning and Synonyms

Definition of Pathetic (adjective)

Pathetic is an adjective to describe something that arouses pity, sadness, or sympathy. It often implies that something is so weak or inadequate that it evokes feelings of sorrow or contempt.

Examples

• The pathetic attempt at cooking ended in disaster.
• His pathetic excuse for being late didn’t fool anyone.
• The team’s performance was so pathetic that fans left early.
• The pathetic state of the building made it unsafe.
• She gave a pathetic plea for help that no one answered.
• His pathetic efforts to solve the problem failed miserably.
• The movie’s ending was so pathetic it made me cringe.
• The pathetic condition of the dog was heartbreaking.

Meaning

• Weak
• Inadequate
• Pity-inducing

Pronunciation

• UK: /pəˈθɛtɪk/ (puh-THET-ik)
• US: /pəˈθɛtɪk/ (puh-THET-ik)

Synonyms

• Pitiful
• Miserable
• Lamentable
• Sad
• Deplorable
• Wretched
• Feeble
• Weak
• Tragic
• Sorry
• Unimpressive
• Inadequate

Usage Tips for Pathetic

• Used to express sorrow or sympathy for someone or something weak.
• It often carries a sense of disappointment or contempt.
• Avoid using it for anything that doesn’t evoke pity.
• It is commonly used to describe someone’s poor behaviour or poor quality of work.

Origin

Pathetic (1700-1800):

It is derived from the Greek word pathos, which means suffering or emotion.

Similar Words to Pathetic

• Pitiful
• Wretched
• Miserable
• Tragic
• Sorry
• Lamentable
• Feeble
• Weak
• Inadequate
• Dismal

FAQs

Q: What is the meaning of pathetic in Urdu?

Ans: In Urdu, pathetic means قابل رحم or افسوسناک.

Q: How do we use pathetic in a sentence?

Ans: His pathetic response to the criticism only made things worse.

Q: What’s the difference between pathetic and pitiful?

Ans: Pathetic often implies a sense of weakness or failure, while pitiful conveys deeper sympathy.

Related Words: