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1. Deserving or inciting pity
   "the shabby room struck her as extraordinarily pathetic";
   - hapless, miserable, misfortunate, piteous, pitiable, pitiful, poor, wretched
    
2. Inspiring mixed contempt and pity
   "their efforts were pathetic";
   - pitiable, pitiful
    
3. Inspiring scornful pity
   "how pathetic an ardent and unsuccessful wooer can be especially if he is getting on in years";
   - ridiculous, silly
    
4. Lacking in power or forcefulness
   "a pathetic ruler";
   - ineffective, ineffectual, unable, effete, wet [Brit], useless

See also: contemptible, impotent, undignified, unfortunate

Encyclopedia: Pathetic