How to Pronounce Pathetic

To pronounce "pathetic", say PATH-et-ic — 3 syllables, IPA /pəˈθɛtɪk/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

pathetic

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying pathetic, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

3

Syllables

8

Letters

/pəˈθɛtɪk/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “pathetic”

"pathetic" has 3 syllables: path-et-ic. It rhymes with apathetic and frenetic, if that helps it stick.

What does pathetic mean?

adjective

  1. Arousing pity, sympathy, or compassion.

    “The child’s pathetic pleas for forgiveness stirred the young man’s heart.”

  2. Arousing scornful pity or contempt, often due to miserable inadequacy.

    “You can't even run two miles? That’s pathetic.”

Synonyms

deplorablemiserablepathetisadpitifulwretcheddespicabledisgracefuldishonorable

Words that rhyme with pathetic

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

apatheticfreneticempatheticsympatheticasceticenergeticaesthetickineticsyntheticanestheticestheticmagnetic

Related words

pitifulpitiablepiteouswretchedmiserablecontemptiblemisfortunateunfortunate

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "pathetic"?▾

"Pathetic" has 3 syllables: path · et · ic.

What is the IPA transcription of "pathetic"?▾

The IPA transcription of "pathetic" is /pəˈθɛtɪk/.

What does "pathetic" mean?▾

Pathetic: Arousing pity, sympathy, or compassion.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “pathetic” in the full dictionary →