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Pitiful vs Despicable - What's the difference?

pitiful | despicable | Synonyms |

Pitiful is a synonym of despicable.


As adjectives the difference between pitiful and despicable

is that pitiful is feeling pity; merciful while despicable is fit or deserving to be despised; contemptible; mean; vile; worthless.

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

    despicable

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Fit or deserving to be despised; contemptible; mean; vile; worthless

    • Synonyms

    * (l) * mean * vile

    Antonyms

    * honorable

    References

    English words suffixed with -able