pathetic
gb/pəθˈɛtɪk/ us/pəθˈɛtɪk/
B1
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
informal
B1
property
1
Causing pity for being weak
Making people feel sorry because something or someone is very weak or bad at something.
Usage pattern:
[something] is pathetic
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'pathetic' with 'empathetic'; 'pathetic' is negative, while 'empathetic' means understanding others' feelings.
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.)
Collocations
pathetic attempt
|pathetic excuse
|pathetic performance
|pathetic state
Themes
emotions
|judgment
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- His performance in the match was absolutely pathetic.
- The team's pathetic defense led to a crushing defeat.
- 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.
- The dog's house was in a pathetic condition.
- His singing was pathetic.
- They made a pathetic attempt to fix the car.
adjective
B2
property
2
Causing pity for suffering
Making people feel sorry because someone is sad or in pain.
Usage pattern:
[something] is pathetic
Synonyms
heartbreaking (Emphasizes emotional pain and sadness.)
|
tragic (Stronger, often linked to serious misfortune.)
Antonyms
uplifting (Produces positive, hopeful feelings instead of sadness.)
Collocations
pathetic figure
|pathetic sight
|pathetic creature
Themes
emotions
|compassion
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The refugees presented a pathetic sight as they arrived with nothing.
- He looked like a pathetic figure, shivering in the rain.
- It was a pathetic scene, with children crying for their parents.
Learner examples
- The old man looked pathetic in the cold.
- The dog was thin and pathetic.
- She saw a pathetic child on the street.
adjective
informal
B2
property
3
Deserving contempt for inadequacy
So bad that it makes people think it is silly or worthless.
Usage pattern:
[something] is pathetic
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.)
Collocations
pathetic excuse
|pathetic attempt
Themes
judgment
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Your argument is just pathetic.
- That was a pathetic attempt to cover up the truth.
- His excuses are so pathetic they’re laughable.
Learner examples
- This story is pathetic.
- His work is pathetic.
- Her plan is pathetic.
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.