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Definition of pitiably

pitiably

/ˈpɪt.i.ə.bli/
pit · i · a · bly

Adjective:pitiable
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pitiably Lexical Profile

pitiably Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

In a manner that arouses or deserves pity, sympathy, or sorrow.

Example

"The stray dog whimpered pitiably outside the closed door during the rainstorm."


2

To a lamentably small, inadequate, or contemptible degree.

Example

"The relief effort was pitiably underfunded compared to the scale of the natural disaster."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English from the adjective 'pitiable' (borrowed from Old French 'pitoiable', ultimately from Latin 'pietas') combined with the adverbial suffix '-ly'.

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Pitiably. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/pitiably
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