pathetic

/pəˈθetɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /pəˈθetɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /pə-ˈthe-tik/ (ame, mw)

pathetic — adjective

  • patheticpositive
  • more patheticcomparative
  • most patheticsuperlative

1. so unhappy, weak, or badly hurt that it makes other people feel sorry for someon

1.形容詞B2
釋義

so unhappy, weak, or badly hurt that it makes other people feel sorry for someone, and sometimes look down on them as well

例句

The injured puppy looked pathetic beside the empty food bowl.

pattern: look pathetic

The old horse looked pathetic in the cold rain outside the barn.

同義詞
  • pitiful

    close in meaning, but slightly more neutral and less scornful

  • miserable

    focuses more on the person's unhappy state than on the observer's reaction

  • sorry

    informal British use for something poor or pitiable

反義詞
  • dignified

    shows self-respect instead of inviting pity

  • impressive

    causes admiration rather than pity

用法筆記

Usually describes people, animals, or situations that arouse pity. It often carries a slight tone of contempt as well as sympathy.

常見錯誤

❌I felt pathetic for the children in the shelter.
✅I felt sorry for the children in the shelter.
💡'pathetic' describes the children or situation, not your feeling toward them.

2. so weak, poor, or ineffective that it makes people lose respect for someone or s

2.形容詞B2
釋義

so weak, poor, or ineffective that it makes people lose respect for someone or something

例句

Their pathetic excuse fooled nobody in the meeting room.

collocation: pathetic excuse

The striker made a pathetic attempt to block the easy shot.

同義詞
  • feeble

    more formal and often stresses lack of strength

  • lame

    informal and often used for weak excuses or jokes

  • inadequate

    more formal and less openly contemptuous

反義詞
  • convincing

    wins belief or respect instead of scorn

  • strong

    shows power or effectiveness

用法筆記

Common with words like excuse, attempt, performance, and amount. Unlike Sense 1, it criticises weakness or inadequacy rather than suffering.