1
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
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
The Astros came into Thursday leading the American League in OPS, a positive aspect of their abysmal first month.
—
Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 30 Apr. 2026
Others leave the sector all together as a result of abysmal pay combined with being emotionally or physically taxed from the work, Nestler said.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 30 Apr. 2026
Others leave the sector all together as a result of abysmal pay combined with being emotionally or physically taxed from the work, Nestler said.
—Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abysmal
Adjective
-
Residents describe ‘a terrible night’ More than 30 people were injured in the apartment building collapse, while emergency workers rescued 28 residents, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said.—
Samya Kullab,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
-
And some were not kind to him on social media following the terrible first round.—
Dan Zaksheske OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
September 23 – October 22 A deeper feeling could interrupt your attempt to keep things light.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
-
Benjamín Echazarreta’s cinematography is alert to the workaday energy of the hotel as well as the eerie beauty of the setting, with its mix of fairy-tale wonder and bone-deep dread.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
That is a really horrible thing.—
David Chiu,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
-
The Virginia Supreme Court has just struck down the Democrats’ horrible gerrymander.—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Judaism has profound ethics and principles of justice for all.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
-
Nowhere was his impact more profound than in journalism with the launch of CNN.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
Harper opened a small dance studio, on Forty-sixth Street; business was poor until Bradley was hired and revamped Delroy’s act.—
Brian Seibert,
New Yorker,
13 May 2026
-
Still vehicle electronics can be damaged from reverse polarity, poor or wrong connection points or voltage spikes from improper equipment.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
Gray has been good at home, a more reliable starter, and Painter has been awful overall.—
David Troy OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
-
There was a sense of an extraordinary person and so many extraordinary people doing quite awful things throughout the year.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
The team finished shooting a dismal 33% from the field and 3-for-13 on 3-pointers, while Vegas hit 54% from the field and 5-for-16 beyond the arc.—
Emily Adams,
Hartford Courant,
14 May 2026
-
The Dream dug themselves an early hole, starting a dismal 1-of-12 from three-point range in the first quarter and missing several layups in transition.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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 16 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
