Utterly wretched or hopeless (6)
I believe the answer is:
abject
I believe this is a double definition.
'utterly wretched' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'hopeless' is the second definition.
(similar in meaning)
(Other definitions for abject that I've seen before include "This apology shows humility" , "Submissive, miserable" , "Sorry" , "Of the most contemptible kind" , "Serville or obsequious, prhaps apology" .)