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Piteous vs Sympathetic - What's the difference?

piteous | sympathetic |

As adjectives the difference between piteous and sympathetic

is that piteous is pitiful; evincing pity, compassion, or sympathy while sympathetic is of, related to, showing, or characterized by sympathy.

piteous

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • pitiful; evincing pity, compassion, or sympathy.
  • * Shakespeare
    • The most piteous tale of Lear.
  • (obsolete) pious; devout
  • * Wyclif
    • The Lord can deliver piteous men from temptation.
  • (obsolete) compassionate; tender
  • * Alexander Pope
    • [She was] piteous of his case.
  • (obsolete) paltry; mean; pitiful
    • (Milton)

    Synonyms

    * pathetic

    Derived terms

    * piteously

    Related terms

    * see (pity)

    sympathetic

    English

    Alternative forms

    * sympathetick (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of, related to, showing, or characterized by sympathy.
    • John looked very upset. I gave him a sympathetic look.
  • Of or relating to similarity.
    • Sympathetic magic is based on imitation or correspondence.

    Antonyms

    * unsympathetic

    Derived terms

    * parasympathetic nervous system * sympathetic nervous system