What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
piteous
Example
The piteous look on the puppy's face made me want to take him home. [piteous: adjective]
Example
It was a piteous sight to see the homeless man sleeping on the cold sidewalk. [piteous: adjective]
pathetic
Example
His pathetic attempt at humor fell flat with the audience. [pathetic: adjective]
Example
The team's performance was pathetic, losing by a wide margin. [pathetic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pathetic is more commonly used than piteous in everyday language. Pathetic is versatile and covers a wide range of negative situations or circumstances, while piteous is less common and often used in more specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between piteous and pathetic?
Both piteous and pathetic are considered formal words and are not commonly used in informal speech. However, pathetic is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while piteous is more commonly used in literary or poetic contexts.
