Antonyms for pitiful
ˈpɪt ɪ fəlpiti·ful

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. pitiful

   Pitiful originally signified full of pity; as, "the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy," James v, 11; but this usage is now archaic, and the meaning in question is appropriated by such words as merciful and compassionate. Pitiful and pitiable now refer to what may be deserving of pity, pitiful being used chiefly for that which is merely an object of thought, pitiable for that which is brought directly before the senses; as, a pitiful story; a pitiable object; a pitiable condition. Since pity, however, always implies weakness or inferiority in that which is pitied, pitiful and pitiable are often used, by an easy transition, for what might awaken pity, but does awaken contempt; as, a pitiful excuse; he presented a pitiable appearance. Piteous is now rarely used in its earlier sense of feeling pity, but in its derived sense applies to what really excites the emotion; as, a piteous cry. Compare HUMANE; MERCY; PITY.

   Antonyms:
   august, beneficent, commanding, dignified, exalted, glorious, grand, great, helpful, lofty, mighty, noble, sublime, superb, superior

   Synonyms:
   abject, base, contemptible, despicable, lamentable, miserable, mournful, moving, paltry, pathetic, piteous, pitiable, sorrowful, touching, woful, wretched

Princeton's WordNetRate these antonyms:3.0 / 2 votes

1. pathetic, pitiable, pitifuladjective

   inspiring mixed contempt and pity

   "their efforts were pathetic"; "pitiable lack of character"; "pitiful exhibition of cowardice"

   Antonyms:
   fortunate, good, estimable

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

2. deplorable, distressing, lamentable, pitiful, sad, sorryadjective

   bad; unfortunate

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

   Antonyms:
   fortunate, estimable, good

   Synonyms:
   regretful, deplorable, hapless, no-account, reprehensible, woeful, dismal, troubling, execrable, dingy, disconsolate, perturbing, no-count, good-for-nothing, miserable, worrying, criminal, no-good, vicious, disturbing, dark, grim, sad, piteous, condemnable, lamentable, worrisome, misfortunate, pitiable, distressing, bad, poor, pathetic, wretched, sorry, gloomy, drab, distressful, dreary, drear, good-for-naught, blue, meritless

3. hapless, miserable, misfortunate, pathetic, piteous, pitiable, pitiful, poor, wretchedadjective

   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"

   Antonyms:
   estimable, good, fortunate

   Synonyms:
   ridiculous, paltry, deplorable, scummy, woeful, slimy, execrable, suffering, scurvy, vile, low-down, despicable, inadequate, low, miserable, worthless, sad, piteous, hapless, lamentable, misfortunate, pitiable, distressing, measly, poor, pathetic, short, wretched, silly, sorry, abject, unworthy, ugly

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. pitifuladjective

   Synonyms:
   tender-hearted, compassionate, merciful, lenient, ruthful, clement, lamentable, piteous, sad, sorrowful, despicable, contemptible, abject, mean

How to use pitiful in a sentence?

1. Assistant District Attorney Melissa Woodward:

   This was by all accounts a double murder with a pitiful feigned suicide attempt by the defendant.

2. Longinus:

   Love of money is the disease which renders us most pitiful and grovelling, and love of pleasure is that which renders us most despicable.

3. Nabih Berri:

   We have entered a tunnel and I don’t know how we will get out of it, we are in a pitiful situation. The government situation is completely blocked.

4. Captain Prado:

   Che Guevara presented a pitiful figure, dirty, smelly and run-down, che Guevara ’d been on the run for months. Che Guevara hair was long, messy and matted, and Che Guevara beard bushy.

5. Marcio Astrini:

   This is a sick statement, a pitiful statement, increased deforestation and burning are the result of his anti-environmental policy.

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