pitiful pitiful /ˈpɪtəfəl/

adjective

1. () Inspiring mixed contempt and pity  ( pathetic , pitiable , pitiful )
   inspiring mixed contempt and pity
    Their efforts were pathetic
   their efforts were pathetic
    Pitiable lack of character
   pitiable lack of character
    Pitiful exhibition of cowardice
   pitiful exhibition of cowardice
   
2. Deserving or inciting pity  ( misfortunate , pitiable , pitiful , hapless , miserable , pathetic , piteous , poor , wretched )
   deserving or inciting pity
    A hapless victim
   a hapless victim
    Miserable victims of war
   miserable victims of war
    The shabby room struck her as extraordinarily pathetic
   the shabby room struck her as extraordinarily pathetic
    Piteous appeals for help
   piteous appeals for help
    Pitiable homeless children
   pitiable homeless children
    A pitiful fate
   a pitiful fate
    Oh, you poor thing
   Oh, you poor thing
    His poor distorted limbs
   his poor distorted limbs
    A wretched life
   a wretched life
   
3. Bad; unfortunate  ( distressing , lamentable , pitiful , deplorable , sad , sorry )
   bad; unfortunate
    My finances were in a deplorable state
   my finances were in a deplorable state
    A lamentable decision
   a lamentable decision
    Her clothes were in sad shape
   her clothes were in sad shape
    A sorry state of affairs
   a sorry state of affairs