PITIABLE Synonyms: 134 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'pitiable' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of pitiable are contemptible , despicable , scurvy , and sorry . While all these words mean "arousing or deserving scorn," pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity. // a pitiable attempt at tragedy

Q: When might 'contemptible' be a better fit than 'pitiable'?

The synonyms contemptible and pitiable are sometimes interchangeable, but contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values. // a contemptible liar

Q: In what contexts can 'despicable' take the place of 'pitiable'?

The words despicable and pitiable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation. // a despicable crime

Q: How are the words 'scurvy' and 'despicable' related as synonyms of 'pitiable'?

Scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust. // a scurvy crew of hangers-on

Q: When is 'sorry' a more appropriate choice than 'pitiable'?

The meanings of sorry and pitiable largely overlap; however, sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness. // this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car

pitiable

adjective

ˈpi-tē-ə-bəl

Definition of pitiable

as in pitiful

arousing or deserving of one's loathing and disgust the sales presentation was a pitiable display of ineptitude and disorganization

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in pathetic

deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy) a pitiable attempt at singing that generated snickers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in poor

deserving of one's pity a pitiable, starving old dog

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word pitiable different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of pitiable are contemptible, despicable, scurvy, and sorry. While all these words mean "arousing or deserving scorn," pitiable applies to what inspires mixed contempt and pity.

a pitiable attempt at tragedy

When might contemptible be a better fit than pitiable?

The synonyms contemptible and pitiable are sometimes interchangeable, but contemptible may imply any quality provoking scorn or a low standing in any scale of values.

a contemptible liar

In what contexts can despicable take the place of pitiable?

The words despicable and pitiable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, despicable may imply utter worthlessness and usually suggests arousing an attitude of moral indignation.

a despicable crime

How are the words scurvy and despicable related as synonyms of pitiable?

Scurvy adds to despicable an implication of arousing disgust.

a scurvy crew of hangers-on

When is sorry a more appropriate choice than pitiable?

The meanings of sorry and pitiable largely overlap; however, sorry may stress pitiable inadequacy or may suggest wretchedness or sordidness.

this rattletrap is a sorry excuse for a car

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of pitiable Despite the ceasefire, Gazans are suffering from pitiable conditions. — Matt Bradley, NBC news, 27 Jan. 2026 More pitiable people do not exist; conspiracy gave Agnes, a bearer of shattering loss, purpose. — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2026 Early modern people often represented ghosts as sad and pitiable. — Penelope Geng, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2025 And Berchtold capably taps into the raw pain underneath Paul’s party-bro exterior, rendering him pitiable if not exactly likable. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pitiable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pitiable

Adjective

Just 7% of Democrats approve, along with a pitiful 12% of independents.

— Jon Keller, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Herbert's six interceptions is only surpassed by Drake Maye's pitiful start to the season.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of pitiful

Adjective

Disease that has spread to those organs is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
They were frustrated with teacher shortages and poor conditions at schools, including overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings.

— James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

Poetry gets left behind by the exigency of character development or, in the movie’s self-defeating logic, because the art form doesn’t really matter and is only a lame excuse for people who won’t take responsibility and grow up.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Blumenthal hopes to see action on KOSA in the lame-duck session.

— Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of lame

Adjective

When the modern-day world has nothing to offer us but AI slop, shrinkflation and a sad acceptance that we can't be bothered to do anything about global warming.

— Ian Stokes, Space.com, 19 Oct. 2026
This island that was so fantastic has become Work Island and that’s sad.

— Joe Lynch, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

Gavroche and the insurgents of 1832—the wretched who became rioters—were ready to die defending a particular vision of the republic against the July Monarchy and the usurper Louis-Philippe.

— Ollivier Pourriol, Vanity Fair, 19 Oct. 2026
The Vatican typically allows criminal investigations to play out before initiating canonical trials so as not to interfere, and that is especially so now in Australia, after the church's wretched legacy there of abuse and cover-up.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of wretched

Adjective

The best seats will be the cheapest There is a wide spread in the available prices for tickets to see U2 on their 2027 tour.

— Jim Edwards, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
The federal government was preparing to change its rules on low-value imports, threatening her ability to purchase cheaper prescription medications for blood thinning and heart failure from Canada.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of cheap

Adjective

Our dear old Katie, who used to wake us up every morning with her cheery smile, is now nothing more than a miserable LIB Boomer who comments on Danica Patrick's Instagram posts in the middle of the night.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
That's the last time the Chargers had a start this poor, dropping their first 11 games during a miserable 1-15 season.

— ABC News, ABC News, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of miserable

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Style

“Pitiable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitiable. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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