Meaning & use

pity

noun·Everyday

A feeling of sadness or sympathy for someone else's suffering or misfortune.

See it in a sentence

She felt a deep pity for the stray dog shivering in the rain.

It's a pity that he couldn't attend the reunion after planning it for months.

A note on using this word

Pity can sometimes sound condescending, implying the person pitied is inferior, while sympathy or compassion feel more respectful.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Make it your own

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