Pronunciation: [pˈɪtiɪŋ] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "pitying" is influenced by its pronunciation, which is /ˈpɪtɪɪŋ/. The vowel sound in the middle of the word is pronounced as "ih" rather than "ee" as in "pitting," which results in an "i" being used instead of an "e". The "-ing" suffix is added to form the present participle form of the verb "pity." The word "pitying" means feeling or showing pity towards someone.
Pitying is an adjective that describes the feeling, attitude, or expression of sympathy or compassion towards someone or something who is in a situation of suffering, misfortune, or difficulty. It is an emotional response that acknowledges the pain, distress, or unfortunate circumstances experienced by another person or living being.
When someone is pitying, they display compassion and understanding, often accompanied by a desire to help or alleviate the suffering of the individual or situation in question. It involves perceiving or recognizing the vulnerable position or predicament of the person or thing being pitied. Pitying can be characterized by a sense of sadness or regret for the hardships faced by others, and it may also involve feelings of superiority or the belief that one is better off than those being pitied.
A pitying expression or gesture is often marked by facial expressions, body language, or verbal cues that convey empathy or sorrow. It may include actions such as offering assistance, sharing kind words, or providing support in various forms to alleviate the pain or suffering being witnessed.
However, the term can also be used in a negative sense if it conveys condescension, belittlement, or patronizing attitudes towards those being pitied. It is important to exercise sensitivity and empathy when expressing pity to ensure it is genuine, respectful, and helpful rather than demeaning or offensive.
Showing pity; compassionating.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "pitying" is derived from the noun "pity" and the suffix "-ing".
"Pity" originated in the 13th century and comes from the Old French word "pitié", which was derived from Latin "pietas" meaning "piety, sense of duty". In English, "pity" initially referred to a feeling of compassion or sorrow towards someone else's suffering.
The suffix "-ing" is added to verbs or nouns to form adjectives or present participles. In the case of "pitying", the suffix transforms the noun "pity" into the adjective "pitying", which describes someone expressing or feeling pity.
