pathos — a quality that evokes pity, sadness, or sympathy
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a quality that evokes pity, sadness, or sympathy
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpeɪθɑːs/
Example Sentences
- The commercial's pathos was so overdone that viewers rolled their eyes instead of crying.
- Shakespeare masterfully combined pathos with comedy in his tragicomedies.
- The documentary's pathos left audiences emotionally drained but deeply moved.
pathos
NOUN[/ˈpeɪθɑːs/]
a quality that evokes pity, sadness, or sympathy
The old violinist's solo filled the hall with pathos, moving strangers to tears.
From noble ethos to cheap bathos, revealing only pathos
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Ancient Greek 'pathos' (πάθος) meaning 'suffering, feeling, or emotion.' The word was adopted into Latin and subsequently into English, where it refers to a quality that evokes emotional responses like pity or sympathy.
Breakdown
pathos (Greek: πάθος) = a single morpheme meaning 'suffering, feeling, emotion' (no further breakdown as it is a root word)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The commercial's pathos was so overdone that viewers rolled their eyes instead of crying.”
“Shakespeare masterfully combined pathos with comedy in his tragicomedies.”
“The documentary's pathos left audiences emotionally drained but deeply moved.”
“His speech lacked pathos; it was all statistics and no heart.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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