pathetic
gb/pəθˈɛtɪk/ us/pəθˈɛtɪk/
B1
English
~ 2000
szánalmas, siralmas, szánalomra méltó, nevetséges
B1
INFORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is pathetic
His performance in the match was absolutely pathetic.
A mérkőzésen nyújtott teljesítménye egyszerűen szánalmas volt.
The team's pathetic defense led to a crushing defeat.
A csapat szánalmas védekezése megsemmisítő vereséghez vezetett.
She gave a pathetic excuse for missing the meeting.
That was the most pathetic attempt at cooking I've ever seen.
Learner examples
My score on the test was pathetic.
A teszten elért pontszámom szánalmas volt.
The dog's house was in a pathetic condition.
A kutyaház szánalmas állapotban volt.
His singing was pathetic.
They made a pathetic attempt to fix the car.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pathetic' with 'empathetic'; 'pathetic' is negative, while 'empathetic' means understanding others' feelings.
Meaning
Causing pity for being weak
Collocations
pathetic attempt
|pathetic excuse
|pathetic performance
|pathetic state
Synonyms
pitiful (Slightly more formal and neutral in tone.)
|
feeble (Focuses more on physical or mental weakness.)
Antonyms
impressive (Suggests the opposite—commanding admiration instead of pity.)
Themes
emotions
|judgment
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Making people feel sorry because something or someone is very weak or bad at something.
Inspiring pity or sympathy because of being very weak, inadequate, or unsuccessful.
B2
2
szánalmas
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] is pathetic
The refugees presented a pathetic sight as they arrived with nothing.
A menekültek szánalomra méltó látványt nyújtottak, amikor megérkeztek, és semmijük sem volt.
He looked like a pathetic figure, shivering in the rain.
Szánalomra méltó látványt nyújtott, ahogy az esőben reszketett.
It was a pathetic scene, with children crying for their parents.
Learner examples
The old man looked pathetic in the cold.
Az öregember szánalomra méltó látványt nyújtott a hidegben.
The dog was thin and pathetic.
A kutya sovány volt, és szánalomra méltó látványt nyújtott.
She saw a pathetic child on the street.
Meaning
Causing pity for suffering
Collocations
pathetic figure
|pathetic sight
|pathetic creature
Synonyms
heartbreaking (Emphasizes emotional pain and sadness.)
|
tragic (Stronger, often linked to serious misfortune.)
Antonyms
uplifting (Produces positive, hopeful feelings instead of sadness.)
Themes
emotions
|compassion
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Making people feel sorry because someone is sad or in pain.
Arousing pity or compassion because of suffering, sadness, or distress.
B2
INFORMAL
3
szánalmas
B2
nevetséges
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is pathetic
Your argument is just pathetic.
Az érvelésed egyszerűen szánalmas.
That was a pathetic attempt to cover up the truth.
Ez szánalmas próbálkozás volt az igazság eltussolására.
His excuses are so pathetic they’re laughable.
Learner examples
This story is pathetic.
Ez a történet szánalmas.
His work is pathetic.
A munkája szánalmas.
Her plan is pathetic.
Meaning
Deserving contempt for inadequacy
Collocations
pathetic excuse
|pathetic attempt
Synonyms
lame (Informal and slightly slangy; less harsh than 'pathetic'.)
|
pitiful (Can also mean causing pity; overlaps but less contemptuous.)
Antonyms
admirable (Worthy of respect and approval.)
Themes
judgment
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
So bad that it makes people think it is silly or worthless.
So poor in quality or ability that it deserves ridicule or contempt.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pathetic
IPA
GB/pəθˈɛtɪk/
US/pəθˈɛtɪk/
Syllables & stress
pathet - ic (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ic)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: pathetic
Word family
Expressions
look pathetic
1/lˈʊk pəθˈɛtɪk/
fixed phrase
Appear weak and pitiful
To seem weak, sad, or not good enough when people see you.
Examples
- He looked pathetic standing alone in the rain.
- She tried to smile but just looked pathetic.
pathetic attempt
1/pəθˈɛtɪk ətˈɛmpt/
fixed phrase
informal
A very weak attempt
An effort that is so bad it has no chance of success.
Examples
- They made a pathetic attempt to fix the leak.
- Her cooking was a pathetic attempt at making pasta.
pathetic excuse
1/pəθˈɛtɪk ɪkskjˈus/
fixed phrase
informal
A very weak excuse
An excuse that is so bad it does not convince anyone.
Examples
- That was a truly pathetic excuse for being late.
- He gave a pathetic excuse about missing the deadline.