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.

Mournful vs Pitiful - What's the difference?

mournful | pitiful | Related terms |

Mournful is a related term of pitiful.


As adjectives the difference between mournful and pitiful

is that mournful is filled with grief or sadness; being in a state in which one mourns while pitiful is feeling pity; merciful.

mournful

English

Alternative forms

* mournfull

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • Filled with grief or sadness; being in a state in which one mourns.
  • Fit to inspire mourning; tragic.
  • * (Edgar Allan Poe)
    • Having deposited our mournful burden upon tressels within this region of horror, we partially turned aside the yet unscrewed lid of the coffin, and looked upon the face of the tenant.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    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