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

[ Syn: hapless , miserable , misfortunate , piteous , pitiable , pitiful , poor , wretched ]

inspiring mixed contempt and pity; their efforts were pathetic; pitiable lack of character; pitiful exhibition of cowardice

[ Syn: pitiable , pitiful ]

inspiring scornful pity; how silly an ardent and unsuccessful wooer can be especially if he is getting on in years- Dashiell Hammett

[ Syn: ridiculous , silly ]