Synonyms of abject

abject

adjective

ˈab-ˌjekt 

as in humble

showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness

demanded nothing less than an abject apology from them

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humble
• servile
• meek
• slavish
• menial
• base
• sheepish
• hangdog
• lowly
• modest
• sycophantic
• unassuming
• lamblike
• fawning
• retiring
• unpretentious
• demure
• sycophant
• toadyish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• superior
• arrogant
• haughty
• supercilious
• imperious
• lordly
• uppity
• high-handed

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of abject

Much as the concussive sound design, abject lack of context, and indistinguishable casting might suggest that a similar film could have been made about any number of firefights, Garland’s forensic attention to the minutiae of what happened proves unexpectedly personal by the end. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 28 Mar. 2025

But there’s something abject about taking up such a fraught subject, wringing every ounce of suspense and dramatic potential out of it, and then backing away as though Tim’s arc is just another story of sad enlightenment. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2025

Later, the abject widow is found huddled with her relatives in the pale curve of an empty swimming pool, a glowing charcoal imbaula nearby to keep them warm. —Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2025

On an early spring night in 1992, about 75 people were packed under the high vaulted ceiling of the church’s main hall, in abject shock and grief. —Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025