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

• deep
• profound

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 only problem is the offense was abysmal, mustering just two field goals. —Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025

The abysmal American diet On average, children in the United States get nearly two-thirds of their calories from ultraprocessed foods packed full of additives and high-calorie sugars, salt and fat, according to a recent CDC report. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025

However, the Giants’ offense was abysmal last week, and Tracy could split carries with Devin Singletary and/or Cam Skattebo. —Kc Joyner, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025

The burden falls on Gazprom, whose recent financial performance has been abysmal. —Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

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