Pitiful

Deserving or arousing pity or compassion; wretchedly inadequate. This adjective describes something so unfortunate or lacking in quality that it evokes feelings of sadness, sympathy, or even contempt. It can be used to describe a person's state, a physical object, a performance, or any situation that is considered deserving of pity or lacking merit. The implication is often that the object or situation is below an expected standard or in a state of degradation.

Pitiful meaning with examples

• The stray dog's pitiful whimpers tugged at her heartstrings. She quickly brought it inside, vowing to care for it and find it a loving home.
• His pitiful attempt at baking a cake resulted in a burnt, inedible mess. Everyone agreed that it was a culinary disaster of epic proportions.
• The once grand mansion was now in a pitiful state of disrepair, with crumbling walls and overgrown gardens. It was a shadow of its former glory.
• The actor's performance was pitiful; he forgot his lines and seemed completely lost. The audience responded with embarrassed silence and coughs.
• After losing the competition, the team offered a pitiful defense; their coach berated them for the lack of effort and spirit they displayed.