What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pathetic
Example
The team's performance was pathetic, they didn't even try. [pathetic: adjective]
Example
It's pathetic that he still can't tie his own shoes at his age. [pathetic: adjective]
wretched
Example
The refugees were living in wretched conditions, with no access to clean water or food. [wretched: adjective]
Example
She felt wretched after the breakup, unable to eat or sleep. [wretched: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pathetic is more commonly used in everyday language than wretched. Pathetic is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while wretched is more formal and less frequently used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pathetic and wretched?
Wretched is more formal than pathetic and is typically used in more serious or literary contexts. Pathetic is more informal and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
