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

: abyssal sense 2

abysmally

ə-ˈbiz-mə-lē 

a-

adverb

abysmally ignorant

an abysmally poor performance

Synonyms of abysmal

• terrible
• horrible
• poor
• awful
• dismal
• atrocious

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

The Knights shot 36% (22 of 61) from the floor, including an abysmal 14% (3 of 21) from 3-point range. —Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2026

The beginning was abysmal for both teams, who combined for a woeful 7-for-44 shooting from 3-point range in the first half while playing to a 45-45 tie at the break. —Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026

The margin of safety is already there thanks to this year’s abysmal start. —Zev Fima, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026

Over the final three quarters, Minnesota went 20 for 60 from the floor as a team, including an abysmal 4 for 28 from distance. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

abysm + -al entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for abysmal

• baptismal
• aneurysmal
• paroxysmal
• dismal

Kids 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

abysmally

-mə-lē 

adverb