1. deserving or arousing pity; causing sadness or sympathy
2. extremely inadequate or poor in quality; contemptibly small or worthless

Examples

• The abandoned puppy looked pitiful in the rain.
• She made a pitiful attempt to explain her absence.
• The team’s pitiful performance disappointed their fans.
• He earned a pitiful salary at his first job.
• The pitiful condition of the old building shocked visitors.
• Her pitiful cry for help moved everyone to tears.
• The restaurant served pitiful portions for such high prices.