1
2
3
4

Synonym Chooser

How is the word pathetic distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of pathetic are affecting, impressive, moving, poignant, and touching. While all these words mean "having the power to produce deep emotion," pathetic implies moving to pity or sometimes contempt.

pathetic attempts to justify misconduct

How are the words affecting and moving related as synonyms of pathetic?

Affecting is close to moving but most often suggests pathos.

an affecting deathbed reunion

When can impressive be used instead of pathetic?

In some situations, the words impressive and pathetic are roughly equivalent. However, impressive implies compelling attention, admiration, wonder, or conviction.

an impressive list of achievements

When is moving a more appropriate choice than pathetic?

The synonyms moving and pathetic are sometimes interchangeable, but moving may apply to any strong emotional effect including thrilling, agitating, saddening, or calling forth pity or sympathy.

a moving appeal for contributions

When could poignant be used to replace pathetic?

While in some cases nearly identical to pathetic, poignant applies to what keenly or sharply affects one's sensitivities.

a poignant documentary on the homeless

Where would touching be a reasonable alternative to pathetic?

Although the words touching and pathetic have much in common, touching implies arousing tenderness or compassion.

the touching innocence in a child's eyes

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pathetic Watching him, at 54, sing about being a jealous, pathetic and horny young loser is actually quite charming. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 13 Sep. 2024 The armored-truck guys are, as ever, defiantly oblivious and pathetic with op-sec (if anyone ever wants to do a heist, ask me for suggestions). Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2024 In a pathetic attempt to win him over, Doreen does her hair up like Loretta, but Oliver is unfazed. Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 8 Oct. 2024 Though the operation succeeded politically, the Russian military’s performance was pathetic; there was horrible coordination between branches, poorly executed flight missions, malfunctioning equipment and deaths from friendly fire. Sarah A. Topol, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pathetic 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pathetic
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, nearly one-third of election offices don’t have any full-time staff, wages are pitiful, and turnover rates grew from 28 percent in 2004—already high—to nearly 39 percent in 2022.
    Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2024
  • The plight of Zimbabwe, moreover, remains pitiful, a once prosperous country not only reduced to economic ruin but also trapped in a culture of corruption and violence that Mugabe fostered since gaining power in 1980 and that is now deeply embedded among the ruling elite.
    Martin Meredith, Foreign Affairs, 13 Feb. 2018
Adjective
  • Maybe not the question to ask a Canadian, but could sad smoke breaks bring America together today?
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
  • So there’s perhaps no greater sin than to serve a casserole with a sad, soggy topping.
    Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The concrete there takes, to me, a much more miserable, oppressive tone.
    Owen Davies, Curbed, 4 Nov. 2024
  • One positive in Green Bay’s miserable offensive performance was the play of running back Josh Jacobs, who finished with 95 yards on 13 carries.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The duplication of effort, the ridiculous hours, and the endless inefficiencies were invisible.
    Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 10 Nov. 2024
  • The man’s ridiculous splashing now awoke a strange tender feeling in Craint, such as one might feel for something dear and helpless.
    Greg Jackson, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Trump, for one thing, had a favorable set of issues behind him and the Republican Party: Biden had seen poor favorability and approval ratings throughout his term in office, despite scoring several legislative wins, including a bipartisan infrastructure deal that had previously eluded Trump.
    Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
  • Russia has sent two prototypes of its latest fighter jet in service, the stealth Su-57, to China for an airshow, where they were reportedly mocked for their poor workmanship and conditions.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Loading your audio article The national election news was downright depressing for many in the Bay Area, but there was a lot of cause for celebration among local candidates Tuesday night.
    Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
  • Dreadful game of the week: Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles — The Browns are just depressing, saddled with the debacle that is the acquisition of quarterback Deshaun Watson, whose numbers are just dreadful.
    Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 11 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • As holidays go, however, Flag Day can feel a bit lame.
    Kevin Fisher-Paulson, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 June 2021
  • My 11-year-old loved watching the pups roll balls and play a giant floor piano, but for non-dog owners (guilty as charged), parts of the series—like dressing dogs in little hats and outfits for a Parisian fashion show—feel lame.
    Tim Neville, Outside Online, 23 Nov. 2020
Adjective
  • This absurd claim is an extension of their relentless obsession to remove checks and balances within our government.
    Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 5 Nov. 2024
  • The three books so far are deeply romantic, gorgeously tragic, smart as hell, and written in this absurd baroque, irreverent language.
    Constance Grady, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near pathetic

Cite this Entry

“Pathetic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pathetic. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on pathetic

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!