pathetic
adjective
pa·thet·ic pə-ˈthe-tik 
1
: having a capacity to move one to either compassionate or contemptuous pity
2
: marked by sorrow or melancholy : sad
3
: pitifully inferior or inadequate
the restaurant's pathetic service
4
: absurd, laughable
a pathetic costume
pathetical
pə-ˈthe-ti-kəl
adjective pathetically
pə-ˈthe-ti-k(ə-)lē
adverb 
Synonyms
- heartbreaking
- heartrending
- miserable
- piteous
- pitiable
- pitiful
- poor
- rueful
- sorry
- wretched
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The spectacle seen in the theater of the news presented the American President as a failed suppliant instead of a conquering hero—an ailing and pathetic figure dismissed with the smile of pity and the gift of some sweet candies shaped as miniature sculptures of the President's two dogs. 
Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, March 1992 They were brave, and bravely she served them a pathetic meal of nothing but limitless bowls of little potatoes boiled in their jackets … M. F. K. Fisher, With Bold Knife and Fork, 1969 Her face looked pale and extinguished, as if dimmed by the rich red of her dress. She struck Archer, of a sudden, as a pathetic and even pitiful figure. Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence, 1920 The blind, old dog was a pathetic sight. The team was pretty bad last year, but this year they're downright pathetic. The story he told was a pathetic attempt to cover up a lie. His car is a pathetic piece of junk. See More
Lewis H. Lapham, Harper's, March 1992 They were brave, and bravely she served them a pathetic meal of nothing but limitless bowls of little potatoes boiled in their jackets … M. F. K. Fisher, With Bold Knife and Fork, 1969 Her face looked pale and extinguished, as if dimmed by the rich red of her dress. She struck Archer, of a sudden, as a pathetic and even pitiful figure. Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence, 1920 The blind, old dog was a pathetic sight. The team was pretty bad last year, but this year they're downright pathetic. The story he told was a pathetic attempt to cover up a lie. His car is a pathetic piece of junk. See More Recent Examples on the Web The Ravens got beat physically, and communication on the back end was pathetic. Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 18 Sep. 2022 Some was pathetic, like going after pinball parlors. Sam Kean, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 Being more than two inches shorter than me is pathetic, respectfully. Alex Watt, The New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2022 So their roles—while pathetic and annoying—may also be important. Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 4 Sep. 2022 True confessions from a plant reporter and devotee of more than 40 years: My first foray into gardening was a pathetic disaster. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2022 Currently, e-bikes are trapped in the weird smear between pathetic, loser bicycles and pitiable, low-end motorbikes. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Aug. 2022 On Christmas Day, Gorbachev resigned, a dignified but pathetic figure, now powerless and reduced to running his foundation and writing his memoirs. Ronald Suny, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2022 What a pathetic episode at a school that already has more than a few issues with which to deal, issues to correct, issues to make right. Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 28 Aug. 2022 See More
Mike Preston, Baltimore Sun, 18 Sep. 2022 Some was pathetic, like going after pinball parlors. Sam Kean, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2022 Being more than two inches shorter than me is pathetic, respectfully. Alex Watt, The New Yorker, 10 Sep. 2022 So their roles—while pathetic and annoying—may also be important. Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 4 Sep. 2022 True confessions from a plant reporter and devotee of more than 40 years: My first foray into gardening was a pathetic disaster. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2022 Currently, e-bikes are trapped in the weird smear between pathetic, loser bicycles and pitiable, low-end motorbikes. Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 31 Aug. 2022 On Christmas Day, Gorbachev resigned, a dignified but pathetic figure, now powerless and reduced to running his foundation and writing his memoirs. Ronald Suny, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2022 What a pathetic episode at a school that already has more than a few issues with which to deal, issues to correct, issues to make right. Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 28 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French pathetique "provoking emotion," borrowed from Late Latin pathēticus "affecting the emotions," borrowed from Greek pathētikós "capable of feeling, emotional, receptive, passive," from pathētós "subject to suffering, liable to external influence" (verbal adjective from the base path- "experience, undergo, suffer") + -ikos -ic entry 1 — more at pathos
First Known Use
1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing pathetic
Kids Definition
pathetic
adjective
pa·thet·ic pə-ˈthe-tik
: causing feelings of pity, tenderness, or sorrow
"You talk about some pathetic, tortured-looking little faces." Christopher Paul Curtis, The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963
Christopher Paul Curtis, The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963pathetic
adjective
1
as in pitiful
deserving of one's pity the plight of the homeless family was quite pathetic Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- pitiful
- poor
- miserable
- wretched
- sorry
- sad
- pitiable
- horrible
- piteous
- terrible
- disturbing
- impressive
- heartbreaking
- deplorable
- awful
- lamentable
- rueful
- regrettable
- emotional
- inspiring
- mournful
- affecting
- heartrending
- moving
- poignant
- touching
- upsetting
- distressing
- stirring
- sorrowful
- woeful
- grievous
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unimpressive
- uninspiring
2
as in sad
causing unhappiness a pathetic story that made her cry Synonyms & Similar Words
- sad
- depressing
- unfortunate
- heartbreaking
- mournful
- tearful
- dismal
- saddening
- disturbing
- melancholy
- dreary
- teary
- sorry
- deplorable
- drear
- lamentable
- woeful
- heartrending
- distressful
- perturbing
- distressing
- touching
- disheartening
- poignant
- affecting
- discouraging
- grievous
- disquieting
- dispiriting
- moving
- discomforting
- discomposing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- happy
- cheery
- inspiring
- delightful
- glad
- pleasant
- heartening
- uplifting
- satisfying
- agreeable
- enjoyable
- stimulating
- cheering
- stirring
- heartwarming
- welcome
- pleasing
- pleasurable
- exhilarating
- thrilling
3
as in lame
deserving pitying scorn (as for inadequacy) the crowd mercilessly booed the boxer's pathetic performance Synonyms & Similar Words
- pitiful
- sad
- lame
- miserable
- disgusting
- pitiable
- wretched
- contemptible
- despicable
- shameful
- disgraceful
- bad
- poor
- sorry
- worthless
- shameful
- deplorable
- abominable
- odious
- notorious
- hateful
- stinking
- infamous
- detestable
- disreputable
- abhorrent
- lousy
- ignominious
- shocking
- unworthy
- beastly
- discreditable
- inferior
- dishonorable
- sordid
- scandalous
- misbegotten
- unsavory
- meritless
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- decent
- admirable
- respectable
- worthy
- outstanding
- excellent
- commendable
- noteworthy
- notable
- perfect
- creditable
- meritorious
- noticeable
- laudable
- praiseworthy
- noble
- honorable
- reputable
- presentable
- redoubtable
- honest
- flawless
- straight
4
as in ridiculous
so foolish or pointless as to be worthy of scornful laughter the pundit's latest book is another pathetic jumble of factual errors, half-baked political views, and baseless accusations Synonyms & Similar Words
- ridiculous
- absurd
- silly
- stupid
- foolish
- comical
- laughable
- ludicrous
- dumb
- unreasonable
- farcical
- incredible
- preposterous
- irrational
- derisive
- risible
- insane
- derisory
- idiotic
- crazy
- moronic
- inane
- fantastic
- asinine
- imbecile
- fatuous
- mad
- fantastical
- nonsensical
- cockamamie
- cockamamy
- unreal
- unbelievable
- brainless
- witless
- lunatic
- daft
- imbecilic
- unwise
- simpleminded
- illogical
- inconceivable
- unrealistic
- for the birds
- jerky
- loony
- nutty
- harebrained
- senseless
- wacky
- dotty
- daffy
- idiotical
- half-baked
- screwball
- cuckoo
- kooky
- weak-minded
- half-witted
- whacky
- looney
- balmy
- kookie
- far-fetched
- cockeyed
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- serious
- solemn
- earnest
- reasonable
- realistic
- logical
- sensible
- rational
- credible
- conceivable
- believable
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of pathetic are affecting, impressive, moving, poignant, and touching. While all these words mean "having the power to produce deep emotion," pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.
pathetic attempts to justify misconduct
Affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.
an affecting deathbed reunion
In some situations, the words impressive and pathetic are roughly equivalent. However, impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.
an impressive list of achievements
The synonyms moving and pathetic are sometimes interchangeable, but moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.
a moving appeal for contributions
While in some cases nearly identical to pathetic, poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.
a poignant documentary on the homeless
Although the words touching and pathetic have much in common, touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.
the touching innocence in a child's eyes
- exhibitionism
- exhibitionisms
- exhibitionist
- exhibitionistic
- exhibitionistically
- exhibitionists
- exhibitions
- exhibitive
- exhibitor
- exhibitors
- exhibitory
- exhibits
- exhilarant
- exhilarants
- exhilarate
- exhilarated
- exhilarates
- exhilarating
- exhilaratingly
- exhilaration
- exhilarations
- exhilarative
- exhilarator
- exhilarators
- exhort