What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Pitiful vs Afflicted - What's the difference?

pitiful | afflicted |

As an adjective pitiful

is feeling pity; merciful.

As a verb afflicted is

(afflict).

pitiful

English

Alternative forms

* pitifull (archaic)

Adjective

(pitifuller)
  • Feeling pity; merciful.
  • * 1851 , Herman Melville, Moby-Dick :
    • Straightway, he now goes on to make a full confession; whereupon the mariners became more and more appalled, but still are pitiful .
  • So appalling or sad that one feels or should feel sorry for it; eliciting pity.
    • Scotland has a pitiful climate.
  • Very small (of an amount or number).
    • A pitiful number of students bothered to turn up.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Related terms

    * pitiable * pity

    afflicted

    English

    Verb

    (head)
  • (afflict)

    • afflict

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To cause (someone) pain, suffering or distress.
  • * 1611 , 1:11–12:
    • Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict' them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they ' afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
  • * 1611 , 23:27:
    • Also on the tenth day of this seventh month there shall be a day of atonement: it shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
  • (obsolete) To strike or cast down; to overthrow.
  • * Milton
    • reassembling our afflicted powers
  • (obsolete) To make low or humble.
    • (Spenser)
  • * Jeremy Taylor
    • Men are apt to prefer a prosperous error before an afflicted truth.