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

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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

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

Dozens of companies have withdrawn over the past decades due to poor profits, an uncertain business outlook and concerns about harm to their reputations from making arms, especially lethal weapons.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026
Along the way, the audience can expect tons of humiliation, terrible second prizes, and the guarantee that Robertson will turn at least one poor soul's wrong turn into several minutes of unhinged public destruction.

— Rebecca Rosman, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

That might also explain the movie’s attempts to supercharge its few action sequences, as if the filmmakers realized belatedly that a sad book without much incident wasn’t exactly prime summer studio release fodder.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 Aug. 2026
Obviously, a really sad story and hard to listen to at times.

— Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of sad

Adjective

One of college football’s ugliest offseasons of wretched headlines is nearly over.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Aug. 2026
But this was ultimately a positive season for United, after their wretched end to the previous season under Ralf Rangnick.

— Michael Cox, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of wretched

Adjective

Taylor Farms says 40% of salad kits sold at grocery stores come from the company, giving it a massive role in supplying a convenient and cheap vegetable option for many shoppers.

— Brandon Gomez, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Successful validation Sodium is cheap, abundant, and chemically similar to lithium.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of cheap

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“Pitiable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pitiable. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pitiable

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