Pathos

Pronunciation: /ˈpeɪθɑːs/

Pathos (noun)

  1. A feeling in writing or speech that makes people feel pity or sadness.
  2. The quality of being deeply hurt or distressed, especially when shown to others.
  3. In argument, the use of sadness or sympathy to influence what people think or feel.

Examples

  • The speech used pathos to move the audience.
  • Her story had pathos, so people felt sympathy.