pathetic, pitiable, pitiful - inspiring mixed contempt and pity
Example:- their efforts were pathetic
hapless, miserable, misfortunate, pathetic, piteous, pitiable, pitiful, poor, wretched - deserving or inciting pity
Example:- a hapless victim
deplorable, distressing, lamentable, pitiful, sad, sorry - bad; unfortunate
Example:- my finances were in a deplorable state