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
Snowpack in portions of those states was already abysmal, in many places the worst in recorded history.
—
Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 15 Apr. 2026
Three years later, Steward filed for bankruptcy, owing hundreds of millions to vendors and employees and facing accusations of fraud and abysmal patient care.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 9 Apr. 2026
An abysmal start to the 2025 season last fall led to Penn State firing then head coach James Franklin and promoting Smith on an interim basis.
—Rich Walsh, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
However the early tea industry in India was hampered by poor quality, low financial returns, and abysmal working conditions.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
Christine Peterson, Outdoor Life, 15 Apr. 2026
Three years later, Steward filed for bankruptcy, owing hundreds of millions to vendors and employees and facing accusations of fraud and abysmal patient care.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 9 Apr. 2026
An abysmal start to the 2025 season last fall led to Penn State firing then head coach James Franklin and promoting Smith on an interim basis.
—Rich Walsh, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
However the early tea industry in India was hampered by poor quality, low financial returns, and abysmal working conditions.
—Charles Preston, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abysmal
Adjective
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Now, nearly two years later, the school finds itself in a terrible spot, as accusations of serious misconduct arise and an investigation by the athletic department heats up.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
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And, betting on terrible outcomes doesn't signify what the better actually wants to happen.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Decades of local service as mayor and county supervisor have given me a deep understanding of local, state and federal issues.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
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In Russia, indulging in such conspiracies is often less an exercise in political prediction than an expression of deeper anxieties that can be otherwise hard to express.—
Joshua Yaffa,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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Italy has not been of any help to us and Spain has been horrible.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
3 May 2026
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Aston Villa 1-1 Tottenham Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest Again, this is horrible scheduling on a Bank Holiday Monday afternoon, three days before Forest go to Villa for the second leg of that Europa League semi-final.—
Oliver Kay,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Among the report’s key findings, the most profound structural shift in shopping over the next several years may be the rise of agentic AI, or systems that can act on a consumer’s behalf to search, compare, recommend, and complete purchases.—
David Moin,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
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Wright estimates that should Tehran be able to control the waterway, transits would not exceed half of the pre-war average, with profound consequences for the global oil and gas markets.—
Eleni Giokos,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Injuries to key players on the Amazin’s contributed to some poor numbers as well.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
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Although poor students are disproportionately likely to receive special education in New York City, well-off disabled kids are the ones most acutely driving up the budget.—
Marc Novicoff,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And there was going to be an awful lot of emotional resonance and relatability with today’s generation of young women with Mary Bennet, more so than there would be [with Elizabeth Bennet.—
K.J. Yossman,
Variety,
7 May 2026
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The mother-haver at Forster’s school could never trust in the safety of his awful secret.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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Overall, his approval rating was a dismal 37%, with a 62% disapproval rating that is the highest of either of his presidential terms.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
6 May 2026
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Anything below 50% favorability portends political trouble; right now Trump’s positive standing in polls hovers around a dismal 40%.—
Mark Barabak,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Both Mercedes made atrocious getaways at the start of the sprint, and the two McLarens drove off to an uneventful 1–2 finish that seemed reminiscent of 2025.—
Jonathan M. Gitlin,
ArsTechnica,
4 May 2026
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In other words, atrocious starts have ruined the Sox’s season before anyone had a chance to get excited.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abysmal. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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