pathetic
     adj 1: deserving or inciting pity; "a hapless victim"; "miserable
            victims of war"; "the shabby room struck her as
            extraordinarily pathetic"- Galsworthy; "piteous
            appeals for help"; "pitiable homeless children"; "a
            pitiful fate"; "Oh, you poor thing"; "his poor
            distorted limbs"; "a wretched life" [syn: {hapless}, {miserable},
             {misfortunate}, {piteous}, {pitiable}, {pitiful}, {poor},
             {wretched}]
     2: inspiring mixed contempt and pity; "their efforts were
        pathetic"; "pitiable lack of character"; "pitiful
        exhibition of cowardice" [syn: {pitiable}, {pitiful}]
     3: inspiring scornful pity; "how silly an ardent and
        unsuccessful wooer can be especially if he is getting on
        in years"- Dashiell Hammett [syn: {ridiculous}, {silly}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0