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 margin of safety is already there thanks to this year’s abysmal start.
—
Zev Fima, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
Over the final three quarters, Minnesota went 20 for 60 from the floor as a team, including an abysmal 4 for 28 from distance.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026
The Democrats’ abysmal numbers Still, AI’s numbers are better than the Democratic Party’s.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
The 1986 student walkouts in San Antonio’s Edgewood ISD over abysmal education conditions sparked change in Texas’ public school funding system.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
Zev Fima, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
Over the final three quarters, Minnesota went 20 for 60 from the floor as a team, including an abysmal 4 for 28 from distance.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 9 Mar. 2026
The Democrats’ abysmal numbers Still, AI’s numbers are better than the Democratic Party’s.
—Jake Angelo, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
The 1986 student walkouts in San Antonio’s Edgewood ISD over abysmal education conditions sparked change in Texas’ public school funding system.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abysmal
Adjective
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But Kardashian celebrated its terrible reviews, and the series was renewed for a second season.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
26 Mar. 2026
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One hundred fifteen years later, a memorial to the workers who died reveals itself as a reminder that workers’ rights were purchased at a terrible cost, and that the lives lost there still ask something of us.—
Christina Ray Stanton,
New York Daily News,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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With a spot in the Final Four on the line, excitement is building among fans who believe their team can make a deep run.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
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But those subsidies have masked a deeper affordability crisis — one in which insurers themselves play a central role.—
Barbara Hoare,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This is going to be a horrible, terrible, no-good, very bad day.—
Nathan Rott,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
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In another case, a 10-year-old girl contracted horrible lesions on 10 percent of her body — mostly on her legs — after contact with giant hogweed.—
Natalie Krebs,
Outdoor Life,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Against a backdrop of social and geopolitical change, amid profound transformation both in Georgia and across the South Caucasus, their stories reveal how the will to dream, to resist, and to love becomes its own quiet blaze.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
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Because publishing—like many cultural industries—is navigating a period of profound change.—
Julie Finch,
Literary Hub,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And that 44-point home victory was with Brandon Miller having a poor shooting night (5 of 15, 13 points).—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Mar. 2026
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The Dolphins’ struggles during the last decade-plus with Ross signing the checks was a result of poor leadership at the top of the football operations side.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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She got caught in a really bad cycle, and just seeing that video, and yes, the child being involved is awful; everyone involved is really hard.—
McKinley Franklin,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Mar. 2026
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That defense was looking awful.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Washington state already ranks a dismal 45th out of the 50 states in tax friendliness because of a heavy burden of sales, capital gains, property and excise taxes.—
Betsy McCaughey,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
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On Sunday, the Sharks were a dismal 6-for-17 on defensive-zone draws – and 22-for-51 overall.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 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 1 Apr. 2026.
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