Synonyms of abject

abject

adjective

ˈab-ˌjekt 

as in humble

showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness

demanded nothing less than an abject apology from them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humble
• servile
• meek
• slavish
• menial
• base
• sheepish
• hangdog
• lowly
• modest
• sycophantic
• unassuming
• lamblike
• fawning
• retiring
• unpretentious
• demure
• sycophant
• toadyish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• superior
• arrogant
• haughty
• supercilious
• imperious
• lordly
• uppity
• high-handed

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective abject differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of abject are ignoble, mean, and sordid. While all these words mean "being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity," abject may imply degradation, debasement, or servility.

abject poverty

When might ignoble be a better fit than abject?

In some situations, the words ignoble and abject are roughly equivalent. However, ignoble suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality of mind or spirit.

an ignoble scramble after material possessions

When is it sensible to use mean instead of abject?

While in some cases nearly identical to abject, mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity.

mean and petty satire

When would sordid be a good substitute for abject?

Although the words sordid and abject have much in common, sordid is stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation and abjectness.

a sordid story of murder and revenge

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of abject

Ed Simon explores Americanism in Edgar Allan Poe’s work (and the abject horrors of being buried alive). —Lit Hub Daily, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2025

In damage control mode, NBC scrambled onto the air with an abject apology. —Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025

Simply put, reducing the risks of abject poverty allows workers to make better career choices. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 28 Sep. 2025

We’ve all been cast adrift in the cognitive dissonance between the visceral seriousness of the crime and the abject flippancy of the shooter, the brutality of the shooting and the memes reacting to Kirk’s bigoted views. —Raven Smith, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2025

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