CEFR B2

pathetic

adjective

Meaning

Causing feelings of sadness, pity, or contempt due to inadequacy, weakness, or lack of success.

Examples

  • It was a pathetic attempt to fix the broken window with just a piece of tape.
  • She felt a pathetic sense of relief when the meeting was finally cancelled.

Synonyms: sad, weak, pitiful, lamentable, contemptible