Standard Lemma guide

patheticness

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The state or quality of being pathetic.

Evoking emotions, especially pity or sadness.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: pathos

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The state or quality of being pathetic.

Contemptible inadequacy.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English pathetic Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English patheticness From pathetic + -ness.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Afrikaans: patetiek — state of being pathetic
  • Czech: trapnost — state of being pathetic
  • Czech: patetičnost — state of being pathetic
  • Finnish: pateettisuus — state of being pathetic