pathetic

Meanings

• adjective

  1. Deserving pity or contempt; pitiable.

  - "The homeless man looked pathetic with his tattered clothes."
  - "Her pathetic attempt at cooking left everyone hungry."

• adjective

  2. Producing or eliciting feelings of pity or contempt.

  - "His pathetic behavior was a result of his troubled past."
  - "The play was pathetic and failed to engage the audience."

---

Pronunciation

1. /pəˈθɛtɪk/
   
   
   
   Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1640132"

---

Synonyms

deplorable , miserable , pathetisad , pitiful , wretched , despicable , disgraceful , dishonorable , shameful

---

Rhymes

Words rhyming with pathetic
aphetic , hectic , hysteric , pathetic

---

Variants

List of all variants of pathetic that leads to same result
pathetic , pathetical , pathetically , pathetic fallacies , pathetic fallacy

---

Forms

Different forms of the word (e.g., verb conjugations, plural forms, comparative/superlative forms for adjectives).

The verb form of pathetic is 'pathetize' or 'pathetize oneself'. The comparative form is 'more pathetic' and the superlative form is 'most pathetic'., pathetic, pathetically, pathetically

---

Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From Greek pathetikos, meaning 'capable of being felt or suffered.'

---

Trivia

Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

1. The word pathetic comes from the Greek word pathetikos, which means 'capable of being felt or suffered.'

2. Pathetic was originally used to describe something that elicited a strong emotional response, but it has come to be used primarily to describe something or someone that inspires feelings of pity or contempt.

3. The word pathetic is often used in a derogatory way to describe someone or something that is perceived as weak or inadequate.

---

Related Concepts

informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

1. Pathos: A Greek term used in rhetoric to describe an emotional appeal or response.

2. Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

---

Quotes

Quotes by authors and personalities

1. Her face looked pale and extinguished, as if dimmed by the rich red of her dress. She struck Archer, of a sudden, as a "pathetic" and even pitiful figure.

   - Edith Wharton,{it}The Age of Innocence{/it},1920

2. The spectacle seen in the theater of the news presented the American President as a failed suppliant instead of a conquering hero—an ailing and "pathetic" figure dismissed with the smile of pity and the gift of some sweet candies shaped as miniature sculptures of the President's two dogs.

   - Lewis H. Lapham,{it}Harper's{/it},March 1992

3. They were brave, and bravely she served them a "pathetic" meal of nothing but limitless bowls of little potatoes boiled in their jackets …

   - M. F. K. Fisher,{it}With Bold Knife and Fork{/it},1969

---

Culture

Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Pathetic is often used to describe someone or something that inspires feelings of pity or contempt. In literature, pathetic characters are those who evoke sympathy or pity from readers. In art, pathetic imagery is used to elicit an emotional response. In music, a pathetic song is one that expresses deep sadness or despair.

How to Memorize "pathetic"

1. visualize
   

   - Visualize someone or something that inspires pity or contempt to help remember the meaning of pathetic.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word pathetic with feelings of pity or contempt to help remember its meaning.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Create a mnemonic using the phrase 'Pathetic people inspire pity' to help remember the meaning of pathetic.

---

Memorize "pathetic" using Dictozo

The best and recommended way to memorize pathetic is, by using Dictozo. Just save the word in Dictozo extension and let the app handle the rest. It enhances the memorization process in two ways:

1. Highlighting:

   Whenever users encounters the saved word on a webpage, Dictozo highlights it, drawing the user's attention and reinforcing memorization.
2. Periodic Reminders:

   Dictozo will send you periodic reminders to remind you the saved word, it will ask you quiz. These reminders could be in the form of notifications or emails, prompting users to recall and reinforce their knowledge.