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

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Completing the hat trick in pitiful style, Taking on the World was shot on a shoestring budget, helmed by the man behind Highlander III, and forced to rely on stock footage of real-life footballers.

— Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Given the national team’s pitiful demise at the Oval, with New Zealand completing victory on the fifth morning, Ben Stokes’ revival in absentia feels like the only consolation from a miserable week.

— Hector Vickers, New York Times, 21 June 2026

Definition of pitiful

Adjective

But tensions have opened up between data center boosters and some community organizations that want to see more jobs and economic benefits go to local residents, especially predominantly poor Hispanic farm and food processing workers.

— Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
Conventional wisdom usually attributes those failures to changing markets, disruptive competitors, or poor leadership.

— Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

In that time seven states seceded from the Union, while lame-duck Pres.

— Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026
The jokes are still wildly scattershot and frequently, knowingly lame; the production is still cheap and cheerfully scrappy; the whole ragged enterprise is still reliant on the evident affection and chemistry between its players to hold it together.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of lame

Adjective

Washington Post cartoonist Clifford Berryman quickly produced a cartoon showing Roosevelt refusing to shoot a tiny bear cub with big sad eyes and a rope around its neck.

— Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026
These sad conventions; these American ways of being, pacing to the end of a block and back like hamsters.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

Hashimi’s tale of unflagging effort amid wretched inequality astounds.

— Monitor reviewers, Christian Science Monitor, 23 July 2026
Sixteen children from the same family who were rescued from a dilapidated home in rural Ohio were living in wretched conditions with human waste all around, confined to just one room over much of the past four years, authorities said.

— CBS News, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of wretched

Adjective

Culturelle probiotics tend to be cheaper than Align products and are ideal for those with frequent diarrhea.

— BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Birmingham26, the organisers, say that half of their 250,000 tickets — across morning and evening sessions — are £30 or cheaper.

— Liam Tharme, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of cheap

Browse Nearby Words

pithy

pitiable

pitiably

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pitiable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitiable. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of pitiable

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on pitiable

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

circumscribe

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes