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"Pitiful" vs. "lamentable": shades of sorrow in language
Lloyd Cooper 14/10/2024, 05:54
What is similar?
Both "pitiful" and "lamentable" describe situations or conditions that evoke a sense of sadness, sympathy, or disappointment. They both convey a negative connotation.
What is different?
"Pitiful" often emphasizes the sense of compassion or sympathy someone might feel towards a situation or person, while "lamentable" tends to stress the regret or unfortunate nature of a situation. "Pitiful" is more about the emotional response, whereas "lamentable" is more about the objective assessment.
Which one is more common?
Examples of usage
Pitiful- The orphaned puppy looked pitiful in the cold rain.
- Her timid plea for help was a pitiful sight.
- It was pitiful to see such talent go unnoticed.
- The lack of funding for the arts is truly lamentable.
- It is lamentable that so many people remain without basic healthcare.
- The decision to close the library was lamentable.
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