Pitiful
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3
Emotional Charge
'Pitiful' often carries a strong emotional weight and suggests empathy or sympathy from the speaker. The child's pitiful wailing after losing her toy made everyone in the room sad.
Pro Tip 2/3
Not Always Negative
Although commonly negative, 'pitiful' can be neutral when referring to something that merely invokes pity. Her voice was so pitiful that I gave her the last piece of my cake.
Pro Tip 3/3
Enhancing Descriptors
Use with additional descriptors to emphasize the extent of pity, such as 'truly pitiful' or 'somewhat pitiful.' The injured puppy’s truly pitiful limping prompted passersby to help.