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
Conveniently, the town doctor has just passed away, giving Martin — inheriting a first name from his English predecessor — a new job and a chance to work on his abysmal bedside manner.
—
Alison Herman, Variety, 4 Jan. 2026
Congress has been an abysmal failure.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 1 Jan. 2026
Following his abysmal 2024 season, Houser finally relented.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
Some coal-mining companies have had abysmal safety records, leading to miner deaths, such as the recent drowning of a miner in a sudden flood in a West Virginia mine.
—Hannah Wiseman, The Conversation, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
Alison Herman, Variety, 4 Jan. 2026
Congress has been an abysmal failure.
—Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 1 Jan. 2026
Following his abysmal 2024 season, Houser finally relented.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
Some coal-mining companies have had abysmal safety records, leading to miner deaths, such as the recent drowning of a miner in a sudden flood in a West Virginia mine.
—Hannah Wiseman, The Conversation, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abysmal
Adjective
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Huw is also a terrible planner, placing himself in dangerous situations for no discernible reason, refusing to ask for help or call the police at times when calling the police is the most glaringly obvious move, and generally not communicating with anyone.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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At age 55, Riggle once suffered through decades of heartbreak and terrible Chiefs teams.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But economists appeared skeptical about the effectiveness of Beijing’s plans to boost services spending, cautioning that the plan’s success hinges on deeper reforms to raise household income and strengthen social welfare.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
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The influential investor has the respect of Wall Street and deep knowledge of complex financial markets.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Are there horrible smells wafting around?—
Clio Chang,
Curbed,
7 Jan. 2026
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Jimmy Kimmel was horrible, and some of these people.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Its simplicity was profound, and clearly the result of hours of labor and design.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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When censorship finally began to ease in the 1990s, Korean filmmakers emerged with a profound understanding of cinematic storytelling.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Evening people were 79% more likely to have poor overall heart health compared with those in the intermediate group, the study found.—
Dr. Joseph Wendt,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
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Audits have identified poor planning, weak oversight, and insufficient monitoring of quality and cost.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Pasquantino later deleted the post, likely because fans noted his expectation about the awful things the Royals could theoretically say about him.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
28 Jan. 2026
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His administration’s actions in Minneapolis have been awful.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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And in her memoir of the 2024 campaign, his vice president, Kamala Harris, wrote of rejecting the Biden campaign’s talking points after his dismal debate performance.—
Steven Sloan,
Twin Cities,
27 Jan. 2026
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The voting registration of both Democrats and Republicans is a rather dismal 27% each.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Most Idaho politicians are atrocious.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
8 Jan. 2026
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Advertisement However, America's record of regime change and nation-building is atrocious.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
5 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abysmal. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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