1
as in terrible
extremely unsatisfactory
The coach apologized for the abysmal performance of the team in the loss.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of abysmal
The critics’ score for Melania is an abysmal 6 percent.
—
James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
Pretty bad teams are essentially unwatchable but still not quite abysmal enough to drop out of the play-in tournament and secure a top-eight (or top-four) draft pick.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
In an age when polarized politics have whipped extremists into a frenzy and disagreeing with someone’s views justifies physical assault among fringe elements, the assault on Omar is a new abysmal milestone of societal degradation.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Connecticut has abysmal foster care reimbursement rates.
—Sarah Healy Eagan, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
Pretty bad teams are essentially unwatchable but still not quite abysmal enough to drop out of the play-in tournament and secure a top-eight (or top-four) draft pick.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
In an age when polarized politics have whipped extremists into a frenzy and disagreeing with someone’s views justifies physical assault among fringe elements, the assault on Omar is a new abysmal milestone of societal degradation.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Connecticut has abysmal foster care reimbursement rates.
—Sarah Healy Eagan, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abysmal
Adjective
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America just passed the 50th anniversary of one of its truly terrible days — one that future historians can track as the beginning of the end of our democracy.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Busch was terrible defensively at third.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Turn the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, turning once, until the daikon is tender and both sides are deep golden brown, 8–10 minutes.—
Chihiro Tomioka,
Saveur,
5 Feb. 2026
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Journaling is also a great way to explore your deeper thoughts.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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And for the next year its law enforcement members were hailed as heroes for their efforts that prevented a horrible situation from becoming even worse.—
Denise Crosby,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
There’s nary a crease to be seen in Bina Daigeler’s costumes, all covetable, unapproachable and tailored to the gods; Matthew Herbert’s score may be among the lushest ever slathered over such horrible goings-on.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For the journalist’s son, Anshul Chhatrapati, the verdict was a moment of profound relief after a fight extending nearly two decades.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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Cuddihy and his colleagues theorized that these regular encounters with fire—and their unwanted consequences—would inevitably have a profound effect on any species over tens of thousands of years.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Policymakers globally are increasingly worried that the unequal adoption of AI risks widening income and development gaps between rich and poor countries.—
Hanna Ziady,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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In November, Jesse Jackon was hospitalized again after suffering a fall while protesting poor campus living conditions with students at Howard University.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And not this awful thing that happens again.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
-
The Padres were mostly woeful for a decade before Preller’s arrival and wholly awful the first five seasons under his direction.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Snowpack across the mountains that feed the Colorado River remained dismal in early February.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
17 Feb. 2026
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This is the dismal tableau today in Venezuela’s Maracaibo Basin, which, for much of the last century, was one of the globe’s leading sources of petroleum.—
Mery Mogollón,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Alesia overfilled the pans, which means the muffins look atrocious.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Schein directs the show with tongue firmly planted in cheek, so there are many amusing sight gags (like an atrocious comb-over wig).—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abysmal. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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