ˈpid.ēəbəl, -itē- adjective
Etymology: Middle English piteable, from Middle French piteable, pitiable, from pité, pitié piety, pity + -able — more at pity
: deserving, needing, or arousing pity : pitiful
the pitiable spectacle of a human being in distress — Lyman Bryson
a pitiable wretch
a pitiable attempt to be funny
Synonyms: see contemptible