pathetic

"a hapless victim"; "miserable victims of war"; "the shabby room struck her as extraordinarily pathetic"; "piteous appeals for help"; "pitiable homeless children"; "a pitiful fate"; "Oh, you poor thing"; "his poor distorted limbs"; "a wretched life";

"their efforts were pathetic"; "pitiable lack of character"; "pitiful exhibition of cowardice";

"how silly an ardent and unsuccessful wooer can be especially if he is getting on in years";