pitiful

/ˈpɪtɪfəl/
adjective
  1. Deserving or causing feelings of pity or sympathy because of being in a sad or weak condition.
    • He gave a pitiful cry for help from the bottom of the well.
    • The pitiful state of the old house made the neighbors sad.
    • The abandoned puppy looked so pitiful that everyone wanted to adopt it.
  2. Very small, weak, or inadequate; contemptibly poor or meager.
    • The team made a pitiful effort in the second half, losing by twenty points.
    • He offered a pitiful excuse for being late, saying his alarm didn't go off.
    • The company's pitiful attempt at customer service only made things worse.