PITIABLE

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does pitiable mean? 

• PITIABLE (adjective)
  The adjective PITIABLE has 2 senses:

1. inspiring mixed contempt and pity

2. deserving or inciting pity

  Familiarity information: PITIABLE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PITIABLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Inspiring mixed contempt and pity

Synonyms:

pathetic; pitiable; pitiful

Context example:

pitiful exhibition of cowardice

Similar:

contemptible (deserving of contempt or scorn)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Deserving or inciting pity

Synonyms:

hapless; miserable; misfortunate; pathetic; piteous; pitiable; pitiful; poor; wretched

Context example:

a wretched life

Similar:

unfortunate (not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune)

 Context examples 

A quick effort brought his hands up to the halyards again; but he was a long time regaining his former position, where he hung, a pitiable object.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

This was the man-animal's justice; and even then, in his own pitiable plight, White Fang experienced a little grateful thrill.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

He was in a pitiable state of reaction, with every nerve in a twitter.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

There was something that touched me as I read this letter, something pitiable in the reiterated appeals to bring Holmes.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

In that case, nothing could be more pitiable or more honourable than the sacrifices she had resolved on.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

“Whoever you are, you know my pitiable story, and for Heaven's sake spare me, if you would be spared yourself!”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

That will make your ladyship's situation at present more pitiable; but it will have no effect on me.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

If the strength of your reciprocal attachment had failed, as between many people, and under many circumstances it naturally would during a four years' engagement, your situation would have been pitiable, indeed.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

I have never seen any human being who appeared to be in such a pitiable fright, for his teeth were visibly chattering, and he was shaking in every limb.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Henry, in having such things to relate of his father, was almost as pitiable as in their first avowal to himself.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)