pity 1 of 2

noun

ˈpi-tē How to pronounce pity (audio)
Definition of pitynext
1
as in shame
a regrettable or blameworthy act it's a pity the woodchuck ate all the flowers after you put so much effort into the garden

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in sympathy
the capacity for feeling for another's unhappiness or misfortune a woman of boundless pity who tried to care for every abandoned animal she found

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pity

2 of 2

verb

as in to love
to have sympathy for I always pity the people who have to work in this freezing weather

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun pity contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of pity are commiseration, compassion, condolence, and sympathy. While all these words mean "the act or capacity for sharing the painful feelings of another," pity implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress.

felt pity for the captives

When is it sensible to use commiseration instead of pity?

The words commiseration and pity can be used in similar contexts, but commiseration suggests pity expressed outwardly in exclamations, tears, or words of comfort.

murmurs of commiseration filled the loser's headquarters

When can compassion be used instead of pity?

While in some cases nearly identical to pity, compassion implies pity coupled with an urgent desire to aid or to spare.

treats the homeless with great compassion

When might condolence be a better fit than pity?

The synonyms condolence and pity are sometimes interchangeable, but condolence applies chiefly to formal expression of grief to one who has suffered loss.

expressed their condolences to the widow

When could sympathy be used to replace pity?

In some situations, the words sympathy and pity are roughly equivalent. However, sympathy often suggests a tender concern but can also imply a power to enter into another's emotional experience of any sort.

went to my best friend for sympathy
in sympathy with her desire to locate her natural parents

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pity
Noun
Not used enough in today’s society, more’s the pity. —Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025 Hoffman can’t help but cut me off in horrified pity. —J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
Brian was simultaneously celebrated for his transcendent musical vision and pitied for the emotional struggles that haunted much of his life. —Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 June 2025 Wilson himself was celebrated for his gifts and pitied for his demons. —CBS News, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for pity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pity
  1. shame
  2. sympathy
  3. love
  4. kindness
  5. compassion
  6. heart
  7. understand
Noun
  • But people can get very emotional about money, experiencing feelings from scarcity and fear to greed, anxiety, shame, and guilt.
    — Gabriel Shahin, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The shame falls on the person who betrayed me.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Definition of shame
Noun
  • Last season, Kelly doing something like this probably earned little sympathy from LSU fans because the Tigers underperformed.
    — Joe Rexrode, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Characters like Sophie, who decide against parenthood, are portrayed with sympathy and respect; but so too are the relationships between parents and children, which the game presents as meaningful.
    — G Kirilloff, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of sympathy
Verb
  • Ortega's ensemble, from the Givenchy by Sarah Burton fall/winter 2025 ready-to-wear collection, features an elaborate top piece of oversized gemstones and pearls strung together to create a kind of blouse fit for a particularly jewel-loving queen.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Grandma got to see Matilda, Matilda loves her grandma.
    — Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 14 Sep. 2025
Definition of love
Noun
  • Having a solid structure in place can allow kindness to thrive without compromising the performance of your team or operations.
    — Roxana Diaconu, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Your loving kindness stays with me.
    — Carson Blackwelder, People.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of kindness
Noun
  • Lead for Influence and Impact Offer stability and clarity, integrity and transparency as well as empathy and compassion.
    — Tracy Brower, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • In the clip, the Mexican-American singer talks about the importance of having compassion and helping her community, while also visiting a local supermarket and paying for the groceries of many strangers.
    — Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 13 Sep. 2025
Definition of compassion
Noun
  • This isn't the first time a dog with an unusual breed mix has melted hearts online.
    — Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Researchers have previously noted an elevated but rare risk of myocarditis, or inflamed heart muscle, in young men in particular.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 18 Sep. 2025
Definition of heart
Verb
  • Your smartphone's voice assistant struggles to understand your accent but works perfectly for others.
    — Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 12 Sep. 2025
  • While parenting responsibilities are widely understood and sometimes better supported in the workplace, senior care still has a long way to go, Zlotsky said.
    — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of understand

Browse Nearby Words

pit vipers
pity
pitying
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Cite this Entry

“Pity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pity. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pity

Nglish: Translation of pity for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pity

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