/ ˈpɪtɪfl; NAmE / adjective
1.
deserving or causing you to feel pity
SYN pathetic :
The horse was a pitiful sight (= because it was very thin or sick) .
2.
not deserving respect
SYN poor :
a pitiful effort / excuse / performance
► piti·fully / -fəli; NAmE / adverb :
The dog was whining pitifully.
She was pitifully thin.
The fee is pitifully low.