Synonyms for piteous
ˈpɪt i əspiteous

WiktionaryRate these synonyms:5.0 / 1 vote

1. piteousadjective

   Synonyms:
   pathetic

2. piteousadjective

   pitiful

   Synonyms:
   pathetic

English Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:3.0 / 3 votes

1. piteous

   Pitiful originally signified full of pity; as, "the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy," James v, 11; but this usage is now archaic, and the meaning in question is appropriated by such words as merciful and compassionate. Pitiful and pitiable now refer to what may be deserving of pity, pitiful being used chiefly for that which is merely an object of thought, pitiable for that which is brought directly before the senses; as, a pitiful story; a pitiable object; a pitiable condition. Since pity, however, always implies weakness or inferiority in that which is pitied, pitiful and pitiable are often used, by an easy transition, for what might awaken pity, but does awaken contempt; as, a pitiful excuse; he presented a pitiable appearance. Piteous is now rarely used in its earlier sense of feeling pity, but in its derived sense applies to what really excites the emotion; as, a piteous cry. Compare HUMANE; MERCY; PITY.

   Synonyms:
   abject, base, contemptible, despicable, lamentable, miserable, mournful, moving, paltry, pathetic, pitiable, pitiful, sorrowful, touching, woful, wretched

   Antonyms:
   august, beneficent, commanding, dignified, exalted, glorious, grand, great, helpful, lofty, mighty, noble, sublime, superb, superior

Complete Dictionary of Synonyms and AntonymsRate these synonyms:1.5 / 2 votes

1. piteous

   Synonyms:
   sad, miserable, deplorable, lamentable, distressing, doleful, pitiable, mournful, woful, affecting, sorrowful

   Antonyms:
   joyous, enviable, comfortable, pleasant, desirable, delectable

Princeton's WordNetRate these synonyms:5.0 / 2 votes

1. hapless, miserable, misfortunate, pathetic, piteous, pitiable, pitiful, poor, wretchedadjective

   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"

   Synonyms:
   ridiculous, paltry, deplorable, scummy, woeful, slimy, execrable, suffering, scurvy, vile, low-down, despicable, inadequate, low, miserable, worthless, sad, hapless, lamentable, misfortunate, pitiable, distressing, measly, poor, pathetic, short, wretched, silly, sorry, pitiful, abject, unworthy, ugly

   Antonyms:
   fortunate

Dictionary of English SynonymesRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. piteousadjective

   Synonyms:
   sorrowful, mournful, woful, doleful, rueful, affecting, distressing, grievous, moving pity, exciting compassion

2. piteousadjective

   Synonyms:
   pitiable, deplorable, wretched, miserable, deserving pity, to be pitied

Synonyms, Antonyms & Associated WordsRate these synonyms:0.0 / 0 votes

1. piteousadjective

   Synonyms:
   compassionate, merciful, mournful, plaintive, doleful

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How to use piteous in a sentence?

1. Homer:

   It is entirely seemly for a young man killed in battle to lie mangled by the bronze spear. In his death all things appear fair. But when dogs shame the gray head and gray chin and nakedness of an old man killed, it is the most piteous thing that happens among wretched mortals.

2. Helen Hunt Jackson:

   Wounded vanity knows when it is mortally hurt and limps off the field, piteous, all disguises thrown away. But pride carries its banner to the last and fast as it is driven from one field unfurls it in another, never admitting that there is a shade less honor in the second field than in the first, or in the third than in the second.