Lao san is almost right. But some mistakes.
adjective + そう
こわい+そうー>こわそう(怖そう)
someone or something seems scary.
But かわいそう is one word.
someone or something seems poor
There is no word かわいいそう in Japanese.
かわいいみたい is similar to the meaning.
Other examples.
あつい+そう ー>あつそう
さむい+そう ー>さむそう
おいしい+そう ー>おいしそう