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Adjective: pathetic  pu'the-tik
  1. Deserving or inciting pity
    "the shabby room struck her as extraordinarily pathetic";
    - hapless, miserable, misfortunate, piteous, pitiable, pitiful, poor, wretched
     
  2. Inspiring mixed contempt and pity
    "their efforts were pathetic";
    - pitiable, pitiful
     
  3. Inspiring scornful pity
    "how pathetic an ardent and unsuccessful wooer can be especially if he is getting on in years";
    - ridiculous, silly
     
  4. Lacking in power or forcefulness
    "a pathetic ruler";
    - ineffective, ineffectual, unable, wet [Brit, informal], useless [informal], effete

See also: contemptible, impotent, undignified, unfortunate

Encyclopedia: Pathetic