Get more practice with the workbook
Build vocabulary faster with structured lessons and activities.
4.6
✔ Add 3,700 must-know words to your vocabulary.
✔ All-in-one dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.
✔ 147 categorized lessons, 428 practical activities, 632 pages.
✔ Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.
✔ Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT
4.8
✔ Add 2,000 must-know adjectives to your vocabulary.
✔ All-in-one dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.
✔ 99 categorized lessons, 232 practical activities, 354 pages.
✔ Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.
✔ Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT
4.8
✔ Add 1,500 must-know verbs to your vocabulary.
✔ All-in-one dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.
✔ 70 categorized lessons, 175 practical activities, 266 pages.
✔ Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.
✔ Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT
pathos
Pathos (noun) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology
IPA:
What does pathos mean?
A powerful emotional appeal or quality, often eliciting feelings of pity, sadness, sympathy, or compassion in an audience.
"The film's climax was full of pathos, leaving the audience in tears."
Detailed Meaning of Pathos
It is a persuasive technique used in rhetoric, literature, and art to evoke deep emotions and connect with the human experience on a profound level. By tapping into the audience's emotions, pathos seeks to create empathy and understanding, prompting individuals to be moved by a story, argument, or portrayal of a situation. Whether through heartrending narratives, evocative imagery, or poignant gestures, pathos aims to leave a lasting impression, compelling individuals to respond emotionally to the subject matter at hand. In various forms of communication, such as speeches, advertisements, or literature, pathos plays a pivotal role in engaging, resonating, and influencing people's perspectives and behaviors.
Example Sentences for Pathos
1. The movie's tragic ending left the audience in a state of deep pathos.
2. The artist's painting evoked a sense of pathos, capturing the raw emotions of the subjects.
3. The novel was filled with pathos, exploring the characters' struggles and heartbreaks.
4. The speaker's words were filled with pathos, bringing tears to the eyes of the listeners.
5. The documentary exposed the pathos of war, showcasing the human suffering it caused.
6. The actor's powerful performance moved the audience to tears with its pathos.
Origin and Etymology of Pathos
The noun 'pathos' has its etymological origins in ancient Greek. It comes from the Greek word 'πάθος' (pathos), which encompasses a wide range of meanings related to emotion, experience, and suffering. In classical rhetoric, 'pathos' was one of the three primary modes of persuasion, alongside 'ethos' (credibility) and 'logos' (logical reasoning). It referred to the emotional appeal made to an audience, aiming to elicit feelings of pity, sadness, sympathy, or compassion. The word's association with emotion and empathy has persisted over time, and it continues to describe the power of a message, story, or performance to evoke strong emotional responses in an audience. The etymology of 'pathos' underscores its role in connecting with people on an emotional level, making it a crucial element in communication and storytelling.
Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding
Find the correct meaning of the noun pathos:
Try Again!
Correct!
More Usage Examples of Pathos
1. The photograph captured a moment of pathos, showing a child in despair.
2. The poem was infused with pathos, conveying the poet's deep sorrow and longing.
3. The memoir revealed the author's personal pathos, sharing their journey through adversity.
4. The song's lyrics resonated with pathos, expressing the pain of lost love.
5. The documentary highlighted the pathos of homelessness, shedding light on the struggles faced by individuals.
6. The painting depicted the pathos of poverty, showcasing the hardships faced by the marginalized.
7. The playwright's use of pathos in the climactic scene left the audience emotionally overwhelmed.
8. The photograph captured the pathos of a mother's grief, mourning the loss of her child.
9. The novel's ending was filled with pathos, leaving readers with a profound sense of sadness.
10. The poem's imagery evoked a sense of pathos, drawing upon themes of loss and longing.
11. The speech delivered by the activist was filled with pathos, inspiring empathy and compassion.
12. The play's tragic plotline tugged at the audience's heartstrings, evoking deep pathos.
13. The sculpture conveyed a sense of pathos, depicting a figure in anguish and despair.
14. The documentary filmmaker aimed to elicit pathos from viewers, aiming to evoke empathy and understanding.
Synonyms and Related Words for Pathos
Related Vocabulary Practice
Test your understanding of pathos in related quizzes, flashcards, and spelling activities:
SAT 14 (Scholastic Assessment Test)
Choose an activity:
Emotional Turmoil and Tension
Choose an activity:
Emotions and Serendipity
Choose an activity:
✔ Add 3,700 must-know words to your vocabulary.
✔ All-in-one dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.
✔ 147 categorized lessons, 428 practical activities, 632 pages.
✔ Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.
✔ Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT