Crossword Genius

Pitiful epic that failed (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pathetic

'pitiful' is the definition.
(I know that pitiful can be written as pathetic)

'epic that failed' is the wordplay.
'failed' indicates an anagram.
'epic'+'that'='epicthat'
'epicthat' with letters rearranged gives 'PATHETIC'.

(Other definitions for pathetic that I've seen before include "Pitiable - paltry - touching" , "arousing contempt" , "Contemptible" , "Poignant or hopelessly inadequate" , "Derisory" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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