i Register
In some senses, pathetic is marked as obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.
pathetic
/pəˈθɛtɪk/
adj 4
Collocations
5ADJ.
glorious, most, sick
VERB + PATHETIC
don't, isn't, know, look, times, waste
PATHETIC + NOUN
events, forgiveness, life, outfit, picture, pleas
PREP.
in, in
ADV.
rather, simply, such
Definitions
adj
1
Arousing pity, sympathy, or compassion; exciting pathos.
The child’s pathetic pleas for forgiveness stirred the young man’s heart.
We have now arrived at one of the most pathetic and glorious events in the history of Israel, one which sanctifies the Lamanite race with the powers of martyrdom, and, by the blood of the victims, washes its garments white from many a former sin.
2
Arousing scorn or contempt, often due to miserable inadequacy.
You can't even run two miles? That’s pathetic.
You're almost 26 years old and you still can't hold a real job? That's pathetic.
3
Expressing or showing anger; passionate.
On a certain Good Friday, in what year we are not told, an especially moving and pathetic sermon was preached in the Cathedral by Father John Texeda, upon the sufferings of our Lord.
4
Trochlear.
Thesaurus
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
The child’s pathetic pleas for forgiveness stirred the young man’s heart.
Wiktionary02
We have now arrived at one of the most pathetic and glorious events in the history of Israel, one which sanctifies the Lamanite race with the powers of martyrdom, and, by the blood of the victims, was
Wiktionary03
She held his hand in one of hers, but she too was dozing, and the two made a pretty, or rather a pathetic, picture.
Wiktionary04
We could not bear to listen to the sick child's pathetic cries.
Tatoeba · #31845105
The Japanese people, thinking only of running away in such times, are pathetic.
Tatoeba · #32709006
Or rather, is it not just pathetic that I think such whiny thoughts like this?
Tatoeba · #327170Usage Notes
Your note
not saved0 chars