What does it mean when something is pathetic?

Question

What does it mean when something is pathetic?

Answer 1

DEFINITION

1. causing or evoking pity, sympathetic sadness, sorrow, etc.; pitiful; pitiable: a pathetic letter; a pathetic sight.

2. affecting or moving the feelings.

3. pertaining to or caused by the feelings.

4. miserably or contemptibly inadequate: In return for our investment we get a pathetic three percent interest.

ANOTHER SET OF DEFINING PATHETIC

1  : having a capacity to move one to either compassionate or contemptuous pity   2  : marked by sorrow or melancholy : sad   3  : pitifully inferior or inadequate <the restaurant's pathetic service>   4  : absurd, laughable <a pathetic costume>