Crossword Genius

Pathetic tie-up so badly arranged (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

piteous

'pathetic' is the definition.
('piteous' can be a synonym of 'pathetic')

'tie-up so badly arranged' is the wordplay.
'badly arranged' indicates an anagram (I've seen this in other clues).
'tie'+'up'+'so'='tieupso'
'tieupso' is an anagram of 'PITEOUS'.

(Other definitions for piteous that I've seen before include "Woeful" , "Heart-rending" , "Arousing sorrow and compassion" , "Deserving compassion" , "Deserving sympathy" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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