The team was pretty bad last year, but this year they're downright 'pathetic'.
The story he told was a 'pathetic' attempt to cover up a lie.
I could hear her 'pathetic' [='pitiful'] cries for help.
(..) Well, He's the future king. Yeah. So you have to do what I tell you. Not yet I don't. And with an attitude like that, I'm afraid you're shaping up to be a pretty pathetic king indeed. Hmph. Not the way I see it. I'm gonna be a mighty king. So enemies beware! I'm gonna be the mane event (..)1994 The Lion King