Pathos Meaning in English
word
Definition
A quality in art, speech, or writing that makes people feel strong emotions, especially pity or sadness.
Usage & Nuances
'Pathos' is formal and often used in literary or artistic discussions. It refers to emotional impact, not logic or logic-based persuasion. Common collocations: 'sense of pathos,' 'element of pathos.' It is never used to mean 'pathetic' (which has a negative connotation in modern English).
Example Sentences
The writer used pathos to make the story more touching.
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Her performance brought real pathos to the character, making the audience tear up.
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The speech had pathos and made people feel emotional.
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There is a lot of pathos in the movie’s ending.
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You can really feel the pathos in his music—it’s heartbreaking.
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That old photograph carries a certain pathos—you can almost sense the person’s story.
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