Is there a word that conveys a feeling of sorrow caused by the misfortune of others? Well, there is, and it’s the word pity! Read on to learn all about the pity meaning, as well as how you can use it in a sentence.
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What Does Pity Mean?
Pity is the word you can use to express the feeling of sorrow or compassion towards someone’s misfortunes, distress, or suffering. For instance, you can say, “My heart was filled with pity when I saw the rescue video.” You can also pity yourself (self-pity).
Pity can also mean regret or disappointment. For instance, “It’s a pity that we can’t be friends.”
The word is often associated with kindness, compassion, and sympathy. However, using it to imply that you’re superior to a person or situation can carry a negative connotation.
The word pity comes from the French word pite, which means compassion. Pite itself actually comes from another word, pietas. In Latin, pietas stands for piety, meaning reverence.
Examples:
- It’s a shame that she showed mercy and pity.
- He was bothered by the things the boy had done and couldn’t help but pity him.
- The company became the target of anger and pity.
- It’s such a pity we can’t go with you.
- I pitied the stray cat.
- He looked at her with such pity.
- She felt either pity or jealousy; she wasn’t sure which.
- After everything that happened, I pity you.
Synonyms of Pity
There are other related words that convey the same meaning as pity. These synonyms include:
- Commiseration
- Regret
- Sympathy
- Sorrow
Phrases Related to Pity
You will also find the word pity in many sayings and phrases, including:
- That’s a pity
- For pity’s sake
- Take pity
- More’s the pity
- It is better to be envied than pitied.
When and How to Use Pity?
You can use the word pity as a verb or a noun. When you use it as a noun, you are referring to the actual feeling for someone’s misfortunes. It can also mean regret. If you want to use it as a verb, it means that you feel sorry or feel sad for someone.
To better explain the two different functions of the word, here are examples and a short explanation:
As a noun:
- Sentence example: It’s a pity that we had to cancel our plans for today.
- Explanation: In this example, the word “pity” was used to express disappointment or regret.
As a verb
- Sentence Example: The teacher pitied her student for not getting the recognition she deserved.
- Explanation: In this scenario, the teacher empathizes with her student who has been overlooked.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! The pity meaning is related to feeling bad about someone’s misfortunes. It is a great word to use since it shows that you are sympathetic. However, you should use it with caution because it can be taken negatively.
