1
as in terrible
extremely unsatisfactory
The coach apologized for the abysmal performance of the team in the loss.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deep
extending far downward
Strange sounds echoed from the abysmal reaches of the cave.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abysmal
Locally, that also translates to abysmal conditions in the Clear Creek basin, where Westminster gets most of its water.
—
John Aguilar, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
John Aguilar, Denver Post, 15 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abysmal
Adjective
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At that point, something terrible, something on the scale of the Maidan protests in Ukraine in 2014, is not inconceivable.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
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Between some horrendous screw-ups, terrible decision-making, and some plain old bad luck, their situation, and that of their mother, Linda Morelli (Laurie Metcalf), who is running for mayor, only gets worse.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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For many involved, the partnership also represents a deeper cultural milestone, blending Korean flavors and storytelling with a brand that shaped their childhoods.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
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For now, gone are the days of a seven-deep Knicks rotation under Thibodeau that forced Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Hart to log heavy minutes.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Zack James’ shifty drumming hammers out a drum ’n’ bass redux like a panicked heartbeat while Carney Hemler’s bass lurches in slow motion, replicating the gut drop of a horrible realization.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
3 Apr. 2026
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Fendelman captured that horrible silence in the doc, punctuated by Littlejohn’s niece screaming, feral and raw.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Hurtling back toward Earth after a historic loop around the moon, Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman said naming a crater after his late wife, an idea his crewmates came up with before launch, was the most deeply profound moment of an already memorable flight.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
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This series, based on a true story, explores the life of Molly Kochan (Michelle Williams), a woman living with terminal cancer who navigates her illness and childhood trauma, blending comedy and profound honesty in a way that challenges traditional narratives around death and sexuality.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Arsenal were pretty poor but won, Sporting were pretty good but lost.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Ackman blamed its poor share price performance partly on the delay of UMG’s listing in the United States.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The only way to pull out of an awful season-opening stretch is one at-bat, one pitch, one win at a time.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Still, outside of two games, the offense has been awful.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Leaving aside personal liabilities, any presidential run undoubtedly will focus national attention on Illinois and Chicago’s dismal, perilous financial state.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
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Instead, the offensive results have been dismal through 10 games.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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But Oklahoma Baptist was more than up to the challenge, and turned to its own defense to limit East Bay to an atrocious shooting day.—
Jerry McDonald,
Mercury News,
25 Mar. 2026
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That fact is included in some of the earlier, multiple police reports about him, but not in the most recent ones, where he’s charged with his more atrocious crimes.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abysmal. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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