piteous
Evoking deep compassion
Piteous describes something that evokes or deserves pity—a quality of suffering that moves observers to compassion: a piteous cry, piteous conditions in the refugee camp.
The word emphasizes how the suffering appears to others rather than the intensity of the suffering itself.
It is literary and somewhat old-fashioned, more common in written than spoken English.
Sad and abandoned
- abandonedLeft behind completely
- forsakenCompletely abandoned or discarded
- desolateBleak and abandoned
- neglectedNot given proper attention
stranded · vulnerable · defenseless · hopeless · desperate · imploring · beseeching · pleading
Arousing scornful pity
- sorryExpressing regret or apology
- wretchedExtremely unhappy or unfortunate
- bedraggledWet, dirty, untidy
- haggardExhausted in appearance
gaunt · hollow-eyed · wan · careworn · drawn · emaciated · ragged · tattered
Causing overwhelming grief
- gut-wrenchingCausing intense emotional anguish
- poignantEvoking keen emotion
- movingEmotionally affecting
- touchingEvoking gentle emotion
affecting · harrowing · distressing · lamentable · deplorable · grievous · tragic · sad
Filled with grief
- anguishedSeverely emotionally distressed
- wretchedExtremely unhappy or unfortunate
- woefulExtremely sad or pitiful
- plaintiveSounding sad, sorrowful
doleful · grief-stricken · distressed · tormented · afflicted · miserable · despairing · heartbroken
forlorn
Sad and abandoned
neglected · stranded · vulnerable · defenseless · hopeless · desperate · imploring · beseeching · pleading · suppliant
pathetic
Arousing scornful pity
- sorryExpressing regret or apology
- wretchedExtremely unhappy or unfortunate
- bedraggledWet, dirty, untidy
haggard · gaunt · hollow-eyed · wan · careworn · drawn · emaciated · ragged · tattered · disheveled
heartrending
Causing overwhelming grief
- gut-wrenchingCausing intense emotional anguish
- poignantEvoking keen emotion
- movingEmotionally affecting
touching · affecting · harrowing · distressing · lamentable · deplorable · grievous · tragic · sad · melancholy
sorrowful
Filled with grief
- anguishedSeverely emotionally distressed
- wretchedExtremely unhappy or unfortunate
- woefulExtremely sad or pitiful
plaintive · doleful · grief-stricken · distressed · tormented · afflicted · miserable · despairing · heartbroken · stricken