What does pathetic mean Meaning and Definition
What does pathetic mean
Pronunciation
/pəˈθɛtɪk/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Arousing feelings of pity or sympathy, often because something is considered weak or feeble. Something that is of very poor quality or ineffective.
Examples
- The pathetic excuse he gave for not showing up to work was laughable.
- The team’s pathetic performance in the playoffs led to their elimination.
Synonyms
- Deplorable
- Pitiful
- Miserable
Antonyms
- Impressive
- Remarkable
- Excellent
Additional Information
The word “pathetic” has a strong negative connotation and is often used to express contempt or disdain for something or someone. It can also be used to evoke feelings of pity or sympathy in the listener. For example, “The pathetic state of the homeless shelter is a cry for help.”
In literature and poetry, pathetic fallacy is a literary device where human emotions or characteristics are attributed to non-human entities, such as objects or animals. This is often used to create a sense of empathy or understanding in the reader.
It’s worth noting that the word “pathetic” has been used in different ways historically. In ancient Greek tragedy, the term “pathos” referred to the evocation of emotions, such as pity or fear, in the audience. In modern English, the word “pathetic” has taken on a more negative connotation, but it still retains a sense of emotional resonance.
Etymology
The word “pathetic” comes from the Greek word “pathos”, meaning “emotion” or “suffering”. It was first used in the 16th century to describe something that evoked feelings of pity or sympathy.
Usage Notes
The word “pathetic” should be used judiciously, as it can be perceived as harsh or critical. However, it can also be a powerful tool for conveying strong emotions or opinions. For example, “The pathetic state of public transportation is an outrage.”
Cultural References
The word “pathetic” has been used in popular culture to describe characters or situations that evoke feelings of pity or sympathy. For example, the character of Rodney Dangerfield in the movie “Caddyshack” is often referred to as “pathetic” due to his hapless and miserable behavior.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Pathetic excuse”, “Pathetic attempt”, “Pathetic failure”. These phrases are often used to express contempt or disdain for something or someone.
Related Words or Phrases
“Deplorable”, “Pitiful”, “Miserable”, “Wretched”, “Worthless”. These words all have similar negative connotations to “pathetic”.
Collocations
“Pathetic attempt”, “Pathetic excuse”, “Pathetic performance”. These collocations are often used in informal contexts to express disappointment or disdain.
Frequency of Use
The word “pathetic” is moderately common in modern language, with a frequency of about 4 per 1,000 words. It is often used in informal contexts, such as social media or online forums.
Common Misspellings
“Pathitic”, “Pathetict”, “Pathitac”. These are common misspellings of the word “pathetic”.