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pathetic

adjective (SAD)
 
 
/pəˈθet.ɪk/ US  /-ˈθet̬-/

Definition

C2 causing feelings of sadness, sympathy, or sometimes lack of respect, especially because a person or an animal is suffering: The refugees were a pathetic sight - starving, frightened and cold. After the accident he became a pathetic figure, a shadow of his former self. → See also pathosSympathy and compassion pathetically
 
 
/-ɪ.kəl.i/ adverb
Other former captives spoke of pathetically inadequate food rations. My parents' advice on sex was pathetically inadequate.Sympathy and compassionUseless and futile
(Definition of pathetic adjective (SAD) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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