ABJECT Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

abject

adjective

ˈab-ˌjekt

Definition of abject next

as in humble

showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness demanded nothing less than an abject apology from them

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of abject From there, the abject humiliation of Saturday night’s 123-99 loss to the league-worst Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, when Spoelstra questioned his team’s readiness. —

Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 12 Jan. 2026 And the difference between absolutely nailing a passage and creating a feeling of transcendent gloriousness in the concert hall and abject failure is usually about a millimeter. —

Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 12 Jan. 2026 The quarterfinal round morphed into an abject embarrassment when Texas Tech, which dominated the Big 12 during the regular season, lost decisively (23-0) to the Big Ten’s third-place finisher, Oregon. —

Jon Wilner, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Jan. 2026 Last year, those three forwards on the court at the same time were an abject nightmare that took basketball back to the early aughts. —

Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abject

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abject

Adjective

Whereas Bowen’s upbringing created a natural affinity with Proust, his work also struck a chord with contemporaries of more humble origin.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026
For Newsom, a middle-aged man with a large, young family, a glow of professional attainment, and, most days, enough Oribe Crème in his hair to dress a good Crab Louie, the challenge has been to look both humble and concerned.

— Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026