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
Although the stock market continues to smash through record highs, research suggests that consumer sentiment—how confident people feel about their own finances and about the economy—is abysmal.
—
Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026
So after an abysmal home sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox over Fourth of July weekend, Nationals principal owner Mark Lerner delivered news of the dismissals to Rizzo and field manager Dave Martinez.
—Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Look at students’ abysmal proficiency rates in the state of Illinois and tell me a federal program is not needed.
—Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Kiner-Falefa then drew a walk and Duran hit a single to end the top of the lineup’s abysmal skid, putting men at first and third with one out.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
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Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026
So after an abysmal home sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox over Fourth of July weekend, Nationals principal owner Mark Lerner delivered news of the dismissals to Rizzo and field manager Dave Martinez.
—Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 17 June 2026
Look at students’ abysmal proficiency rates in the state of Illinois and tell me a federal program is not needed.
—Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2026
Kiner-Falefa then drew a walk and Duran hit a single to end the top of the lineup’s abysmal skid, putting men at first and third with one out.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 10 June 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 23 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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