Definitions
- Describing someone or something that evokes feelings of pity or compassion. - Referring to a situation or circumstance that is unfortunate or distressing. - Talking about a person who is in a pitiable or pitiful state.
- Describing someone or something that is deserving of contempt or scorn. - Referring to a situation or circumstance that is hopeless or inadequate. - Talking about a person who is weak, feeble, or lacking in strength or courage.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe negative situations or circumstances.
- 2Both words can be used to describe people or things.
- 3Both words have negative connotations.
- 4Both words can evoke emotions of sadness or disappointment.
What is the difference?
- 1Emotion: Piteous evokes feelings of pity or compassion, while pathetic evokes feelings of contempt or scorn.
- 2Intensity: Pathetic is a stronger and more forceful word than piteous.
- 3Usage: Piteous is less common than pathetic and is often used in literary or poetic contexts.
- 4Connotation: Piteous has a more sympathetic connotation, while pathetic has a more negative connotation.
- 5Subjectivity: Piteous is more subjective and dependent on the observer's emotional response, while pathetic is more objective and based on the situation or circumstance.
Remember this!
Piteous and pathetic are both negative words that describe situations or circumstances that evoke negative emotions. However, piteous is a more sympathetic word that evokes feelings of pity or compassion, while pathetic is a stronger and more forceful word that evokes feelings of contempt or scorn. Piteous is less common and often used in literary or poetic contexts, while pathetic is more commonly used in everyday language.
