Synonyms of pitiful
27 similar words · 5 opposite words
Another word for pitiful is pathetic. Other synonyms of pitiful are poor, piteous, pitiable, rueful and paltry. The opposite of pitiful is un-pathetic.
Synonyms and similar words for pitiful
adjectiveSo appalling or sad that one feels or should feel sorry for it; eliciting pity.
adjectiveOf an amount or number: very small.
adjectiveFeeling pity; merciful.
- commiserativeFeeling or expressing commiseration, compassion, pity or sympathy.
- clementLenient or merciful; charitable.
- lenientLax; not strict; tolerant of dissent or deviation.
- merciedTempered by mercy; merciful.
- mercifulShowing mercy.
- relentfulMerciful, forbearing.
- safe slang
- pitying
- merciable obsoleteMerciful.
adjectiveMore synonyms
- patheticArousing pity, sympathy, or compassion; exciting pathos.
- pitiableThat deserves, evokes or can be given pity; pitiful.
- sad slangPoor in quality, bad; shameful, deplorable; later, regrettable, poor.
- poorWorthy of pity.
- ruefulCausing, feeling, or expressing regret or sorrow, especially in a wry or humorous way.
- snivellyPitiful; whining.
- sorry-ass slang, vulgarPitiful, worthless; utterly terrible or dire.
- compassionate obsoleteInviting or asking for pity.
- pathetisad rarePathetic: arousing scornful pity or contempt.
Opposite of pitiful
adjectiveMore antonyms
- nonpatheticNot pathetic; without pathos.
- un-patheticNot pathetic.
- unpitiableNot pitiable.
- unruefulNot rueful.
- unpiteous archaicWithout pity; pitiless.
Meaning of pitiful
- adjective So appalling or sad that one feels or should feel sorry for it; eliciting pity.
- adjective Eliciting contempt.
- adjective Of an amount or number: very small.
pitiful in other languages
Questions about synonyms of pitiful
- What is another word for pitiful?
- Pitiful has 27 synonyms on Word.ws, such as pathetic, poor, piteous, pitiable, rueful, paltry and pitisome.
- What is the opposite of pitiful?
- The opposite of pitiful is un-pathetic.
- What does pitiful mean?
- Pitiful means so appalling or sad that one feels or should feel sorry for it; eliciting pity.
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: pitiful (page history and authors) and the entries of the words listed. Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws grouped the synonyms and antonyms by meaning and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
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Cite this page: “Synonyms of pitiful.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/synonyms/pitiful. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.