Search Result for "pitiful": 
Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (3)

1. inspiring mixed contempt and pity;
- Example: "their efforts were pathetic"
- Example: "pitiable lack of character"
- Example: "pitiful exhibition of cowardice"
[syn: pathetic, pitiable, pitiful]

2. bad; unfortunate;
- Example: "my finances were in a deplorable state"
- Example: "a lamentable decision"
- Example: "her clothes were in sad shape"
- Example: "a sorry state of affairs"
[syn: deplorable, distressing, lamentable, pitiful, sad, sorry]

3. deserving or inciting pity;
- Example: "a hapless victim"
- Example: "miserable victims of war"
- Example: "the shabby room struck her as extraordinarily pathetic"- Galsworthy
- Example: "piteous appeals for help"
- Example: "pitiable homeless children"
- Example: "a pitiful fate"
- Example: "Oh, you poor thing"
- Example: "his poor distorted limbs"
- Example: "a wretched life"
[syn: hapless, miserable, misfortunate, pathetic, piteous, pitiable, pitiful, poor, wretched]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Pitiful \Pit"i*ful\, a.
   1. Full of pity; tender-hearted; compassionate; kind;
      merciful; sympathetic.
      [1913 Webster]

            The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
                                                  --James v. 11.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Piteous; lamentable; eliciting compassion.
      [1913 Webster]

            A thing, indeed, very pitiful and horrible.
                                                  --Spenser.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To be pitied for littleness or meanness; miserable;
      paltry; contemptible; despicable.
      [1913 Webster]

            That's villainous, and shows a most pitiful ambition
            in the fool that uses it.             --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: Despicable; mean; paltry. See Contemptible.
        [1913 Webster] -- Pit"i*ful*ly, adv. --
        Pit"i*ful*ness, n.
        [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

pitiful
    adj 1: inspiring mixed contempt and pity; "their efforts were
           pathetic"; "pitiable lack of character"; "pitiful
           exhibition of cowardice" [syn: pathetic, pitiable,
           pitiful]
    2: bad; unfortunate; "my finances were in a deplorable state";
       "a lamentable decision"; "her clothes were in sad shape"; "a
       sorry state of affairs" [syn: deplorable, distressing,
       lamentable, pitiful, sad, sorry]
    3: deserving or inciting pity; "a hapless victim"; "miserable
       victims of war"; "the shabby room struck her as
       extraordinarily pathetic"- Galsworthy; "piteous appeals for
       help"; "pitiable homeless children"; "a pitiful fate"; "Oh,
       you poor thing"; "his poor distorted limbs"; "a wretched
       life" [syn: hapless, miserable, misfortunate,
       pathetic, piteous, pitiable, pitiful, poor,
       wretched]


The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):

PITIFUL, adj.  The state of an enemy of opponent after an imaginary
encounter with oneself.