abysmal
adjective
abys·mal
ə-ˈbiz-məl 
a-
1
a
: immeasurably low or wretched : extremely poor or bad
abysmal ignorance/poverty
abysmal living conditions
an abysmal performance
b
: having immense or fathomless extension downward, backward, or inward
an abysmal cliff
2
Examples of abysmal in a Sentence
They were living in abysmal ignorance.
a desperate cry echoing from the abysmal reaches of the cave
Recent Examples on the Web
Sherrill’s announcement followed days of tensions outside the Delaney Hall facility over allegations of abysmal conditions and the use of violence against detainees, which the Department of Homeland Security denies.
—
Daniella Silva, NBC news, 30 May 2026
Some migrants have been removed suddenly from detention centers and flown to countries in Africa, Latin America, or Central Asia with abysmal human rights records.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 26 May 2026
Johnson’s track record in Springfield is abysmal, and a frustrated Pritzker this week explicitly called out that fact.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
In the hours ahead at Nationals Park, Semien’s job was to play second base for a New York Mets team that is trying to overcome an abysmal start to the season.
—Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
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Daniella Silva, NBC news, 30 May 2026
Some migrants have been removed suddenly from detention centers and flown to countries in Africa, Latin America, or Central Asia with abysmal human rights records.
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 26 May 2026
Johnson’s track record in Springfield is abysmal, and a frustrated Pritzker this week explicitly called out that fact.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
In the hours ahead at Nationals Park, Semien’s job was to play second base for a New York Mets team that is trying to overcome an abysmal start to the season.
—Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
Cite this Entry
“Abysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abysmal. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
abysmal
adjective
abys·mal
ə-ˈbiz-məl
1
a
: extremely poor or bad
abysmal living conditions
b
: having an immense extension downward, backward, or inward
2
: abyssal
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