Pathetic

Pronunciation

• IPA: /pəˈθɛtɪk/
• Rhymes: -É›tɪk

Alternative forms

• pathetick archaic
• patheticke obsolete
• pathetique obsolete

Origin

From Latin patheticus, from Ancient Greek παθητικός (pathetikos, "subject to feeling, capable of feeling, impassioned"), from παθητός (pathetos, "one who has suffered, subject to suffering"), from πάσχω (paskho, "to suffer").

Full definition of pathetic

Adjective

1. Arousing pity, sympathy, or compassion.The old man’s pathetic pleas for forgiveness stirred the young man’s heart.
2. Arousing scornful pity 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.
• 2005, w, Well you'd better think of something because middle-aged tramps aren't cute, they're pathetic.
3. (obsolete) Expressing or showing anger; passionate.

Synonyms

• (arousing pity) pitiful, wretched, miserable, deplorable, pathetisad
• (arousing scorn) disgraceful, shameful, despicable, dishonorable

Derived terms

• patheticism
• patheticness

Related terms

• pathos