Pity

Etymology

Middle English pite, from Anglo-French pité, from Latin pietat-, pietas piety, pity, from pius pious

• Date: 13th century

Definitions

• 1 a : sympathetic sorrow for one suffering, distressed, or unhappy b : capacity to feel pity
• 2 : something to be regretted <it's a pity you can't go>

Synonyms

compassion, commiseration, condolence, sympathy mean the act or capacity for sharing the painful feelings of another. pity implies tender or sometimes slightly contemptuous sorrow for one in misery or distress <felt pity for the captives>.