American English
/pʰəˈθɛ.ɾɪ.kli/
4 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
Related entry: pathetic
Very weak, poor, or unsuccessful, especially in a way that makes people lose respect or feel embarrassed.
Practice out loudVery weak, poor, or unsuccessful, especially in a way that makes people lose respect or feel embarrassed.
That was a pathetic excuse.
The team made a pathetic attempt to win.
When you use it about a person, it is usually insulting. Use it carefully.
pathetic excuse · pathetic attempt · pathetic performance
be + pathetic
a/the + pathetic + noun
Making people feel sorry for someone because that person is suffering or cannot help themselves.
The injured dog was a pathetic sight.
He looked pathetic standing alone in the rain.
pathetic sight · pathetic figure
a/the + pathetic + noun
look/seem + pathetic