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pitiably

pitiably

1 6.9
In a way that makes people feel sorry for someone
  • adverb
  • /ˈpɪtiəbli/
translation icon : lamentablemente
  • He looked pitiably at the empty food bowl, waiting for someone to fill it.

Examples

  • She had read what she could on this world; it was pitiably inadequate, which was another reason she intended to come here.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • This highly emotional experience should not be degraded into blind fears disguised, pitiably, as wishful denials.

    Blog text (6)
  • The body of a small brown puppy lay pitiably against one of the buildings.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • She opened her mouth to speak, but her voice broke pitiably.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • If he'd been a business tycoon, of course, things would be quite different... ...The trouble is... ...Fortnum's such um pitiably small beer.

  • He had even thought of suicide to make penance for stealing the life of another, more pitiably a child's.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Sweatshop labor is commonly done in the tenement room of the worker, and pay is so pitiably low that even the longest hours of work will not yield a wage sufficient for the necessities of life, not to mention the requirements for decent.

    Blog text (15)
  • This, a thousand times, is why the "we must move forward" approach is morally bankrupt, and the "reaching across the aisle" approach—locally or nationally—fails pitiably if you're dealing with people not acting in good faith.

    Blog text (20)
  • The small kitten mewed pitiably for attention while hiding under the table.

  • After losing her job, she spoke pitiably about her financial struggles to her friends.

Synonyms

pitifully
vspitiably
6 3.3

In a way that makes people feel sorry for someone or something

is neutral about whether the situation deserves compassion or not
pathetically
vspitiably
4 5.1

In a way that makes people feel pity and want to help

focuses more on causing compassion rather than pure sadness
touchingly
vspitiably
2 5.1

In a way that makes you feel sad or moved

is centered on arousing compassionate concern rather than tender emotion
piteously
vspitiably
  • Literature
1 7.1

In a sad way that makes people feel sorry

is the general way of arousing compassion or sympathy

Antonyms

Showing no interest or care

In a way that does not show care or kindness

How Pitiable

pathetically
4 5.1
pitifully
6 3.3
pitiably
1 6.9
miserably
51 2.2
sadly
53 1.0

Surface Forms

pitiably positive
pitiablyer comparative
pitiablyest superlative

Morphology

pitiably = pitiable (transparent) = pity + able + ly

The adverb is formed by the regular addition of -ly to the adjective 'pitiable', producing a predictable adverbial meaning.

Etymology

Pitiably comes from the word pity, which means 'compassion' or 'feeling sorry for someone'. So, something done pitiably is done in a way that 'causes pity' or makes people feel sorry.