pathetic vs hapless

pathetic and hapless both are adjectives.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
pathetic	No	Yes	No	No
hapless	No	Yes	No	No

As adjectives, pathetic and hapless are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of pathetic include miserable, misfortunate, piteous, pitiable, pitiful, poor, wretched.

pathetic (adjective)	hapless (adjective)
inspiring mixed contempt and pity	deserving or inciting pity
inspiring scornful pity
deserving or inciting pity