Definitions

1. adjective

causing feelings of pity, sympathy, or sadness, because of being extremely weak or helpless; extremely poor or inferior

“The pathetic state of the city after the natural disaster moved many people to donate.”

2. noun

a person or thing that inspires pity or disgust

“The pathetic creature in the movie was a sad example of human suffering.”

3. adverb

in a way that causes pity or sympathy

“The artist painted the scene in a very pathetic way, emphasizing the characters’ struggles.”