ABYSMAL Synonyms: 90 Similar and Opposite Words

abysmal

adjective

ə-ˈbiz-məl

Definition of abysmal

as in terrible

extremely unsatisfactory The coach apologized for the abysmal performance of the team in the loss.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Many outsiders are looking to Herbert to save the franchise from an abysmal season not many projected. — Joaquin Ruiz, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026 With the lefty-swinging Ryan McMahon putting the finishing touches on an abysmal offensive season and taking a step back defensively, the righty-hitting Anthony Volpe did some pregame work at third base on Wednesday. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 23 Sep. 2026 Its aimless, contrived, misogynistic, convoluted, messy, overtly long, abysmal, repetative, slow, shallow, and downright awful. — Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026 The Chiefs helped to make Denver positively abysmal on offense in its first game with coordinator Davis Webb calling the plays. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for abysmal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abysmal

Adjective

His teams are terrible just before halftime, having been outscored 107-6 in the coach's 24 games.

— Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026
If the purpose of buying a suit were merely obtaining clothing, three fittings would be terrible service.

— Anna van Praagh, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of terrible

Adjective

While countries like Sweden and France are pursuing similar deep geological repositories, Finland has officially crossed the finish line first.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
John Anderson, the beloved hitmaker known for his deep country warble, died on Wednesday at the age of 71.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of deep

Adjective

In most versions of the Greek mythology, Medusa is a beautiful woman that was cursed by the goddess Athena with a head of snakes instead of hair and the horrible ability to turn people to stone with just one look.

— Lynsey Eidell, Glamour, 26 Oct. 2026
The battle is between that horrible atmosphere and some of the horrific candidates that have been nominated by the Democratic Party.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of horrible

Adjective

A student victory would be a profound political shift in the Balkan country of some 6 million people, reminiscent of the defeat of Hungary’s Viktor Orban in April.

— Reuters, NBC news, 25 Oct. 2026
The shifts could have profound implications for the more than $5 trillion in assets managed by family offices.

— Robert Frank, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of profound

Adjective

Disease that has spread to those organs is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.

— Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
They were frustrated with teacher shortages and poor conditions at schools, including overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings.

— James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of poor

Adjective

Mahomes scrambled to his left and threw an awful interception in the opening half.

— Sam McDowell October 25, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
Their wins this year have been against a Patriots team that looked awful in Week 1 – with Drew Lock coming in for Darnold early in the game.

— David Troy OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of awful

Adjective

The violence at the weekend, which led to some 2,400 arrests, followed weeks of protests by French students angry about crumbling schools, a lack of teachers and dismal job prospects.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 19 Oct. 2026
Emphasis on the enough, especially after a dismal 2025 season that perhaps was further purged Sunday.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismal

Adjective

The camera crew was typically two feet away from his face at all times, and with water splashing around in there, the movie just sounded horrific and atrocious for months.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
In the previous decades, Japan had brought in many Korean, Chinese, and Taiwanese laborers, often under duress, to work in factories and mines, usually in atrocious conditions.

— Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of atrocious

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“Abysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abysmal. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of abysmal

adjective

Example Sentences

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