'Pitiful' definitions:

Definition of 'pitiful'

From: WordNet
adjective
Inspiring mixed contempt and pity; "their efforts were pathetic"; "pitiable lack of character"; "pitiful exhibition of cowardice" [syn: pathetic, pitiable, pitiful]
adjective
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]
adjective
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]

Definition of 'Pitiful'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]