abysmal

adjective

ə-ˈbiz-məl How to pronounce abysmal (audio)
Definition of abysmalnext
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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 abysmal And the suddenly competitive division rave has been one of the league's biggest storylines after an abysmal opening month for the Phillies hit its lowest point in an early-season series against the Braves. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Many of these countries are well known for horrific human rights abuses, lack of justice and abysmal detention conditions. — Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026 Remember, this is the same team that fired their manager two months ago after an abysmal start. — Zach Dean Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2026 Ainge believes the Jazz can improve greatly on last year’s abysmal 22-60 record. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for abysmal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abysmal
  1. terrible
  2. deep
  3. horrible
  4. profound
  5. poor
  6. awful
  7. dismal
  8. atrocious
Adjective
  • To sit still now would send a terrible message to a clubhouse full of pros, all of whom know the score.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026
  • Spieth decided the ball sitting on a steep slope and potentially on a terrible lie wasn’t playable.
    — Brody Miller, New York Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of terrible
Adjective
  • Others demonstrate a star’s deep passion for agriculture or oenology.
    — Emily Saladino, Washington Post, 17 July 2026
  • That would explain another of the company’s findings, an uptick in country-specific exports after a deep run into the tournament.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 16 July 2026
Definition of deep
Adjective
  • My husband holds the pamphlet close to his face in bed the next morning, my light creating a horrible glare on the glossy paper.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
  • The family wants to have accountability for this horrible crime.
    — Eric Shawn, FOXNews.com, 18 July 2026
Definition of horrible
Adjective
  • The recent World Cup left a profound global impact across media, culture, and politics, far beyond just sports.
    — Howard Homonoff, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
  • These narratives are not only entertaining but also carry profound spiritual and cultural wisdom.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 July 2026
Definition of profound
Adjective
  • Madrid had a poor 2024-25, failing to win the Spanish title or the Champions League, but Mbappe still scored 42 goals in 44 appearances.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Using Neanderthal cranium shapes to estimate specific brain regions’ volume, some investigators claimed to see signs of a mind with feeble linguistic abilities, poor executive function and an unremarkable memory.
    — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 20 July 2026
Definition of poor
Adjective
  • Torres – one of Barcelona’s key men up front – had been having an awful tournament, missing a plethora of chances throughout Spain’s campaign and being benched after starting against Cape Verde.
    — Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
  • In a clearing in the forest, his younger selves sit at a long table with the abbott, who is wearing the final boss of season three’s awful wigs.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 20 July 2026
Definition of awful
Adjective
  • Despite praise for Lagaʻaia, the film set sail on a wave of dismal reviews from critics for being essentially a shot-for-shot remake of the original.
    — Lindsey Bahr, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2026
  • The experience of watching Evil Dead Burn is as dismal as the experiences of its characters.
    — Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 10 July 2026
Definition of dismal
Adjective
  • The trailers looked awful, with a predictably sloppy anti-hero feel, atrocious visual effects, and an uninteresting plot and villain.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 July 2026
  • The heat was punishing, the aesthetic was strictly corporate and the soccer itself was deeply atrocious.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 13 June 2026
Definition of atrocious

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abysm
abysmal
abysmally
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Cite this Entry

“Abysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abysmal. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on abysmal

Nglish: Translation of abysmal for Spanish Speakers

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