1
as in unfathomable
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2
as in deep-sea
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Recent Examples of abyssal
To delve to the (geological) heart of the matter, scientists want to know the moon’s deepest secret—what’s happening at its most abyssal depths.
—
Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 7 Apr. 2026
Advertisement The cliché of the grandmaster whose mind has been tied in knots contemplating the abyssal depths of a chess game is largely a fantasy; despite a few high-profile cases, no statistical link has been established between skill in chess and madness.
—Jordan Himelfarb, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
The heart of noir tends to be nihilism, its abyssal mood a veil that invites you to glimpse the darker machinery of a world ruled by insurmountable powers where resistance leads only to ruin.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
For its part, TMC intends to have large vessels out at sea deploying collector vehicles down to abyssal depths of 2.5-3.75 miles (4-6 km) in the Clarion Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean.
—New Atlas, 5 Apr. 2025
Seamounts are underwater mountains that rise hundreds or thousands of feet from the seafloor and can provide a vital habitat for marine life, while abyssal hills are smaller, underwater mounds.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Three years of computer modeling found the Antarctic overturning circulation – also known as abyssal ocean overturning – is on track to slow 42% by 2050 if the world continues to burn fossil fuels and produce high levels of planet-heating pollution.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 29 Mar. 2023
As an open-source project, C:DDA has its inner workings posted freely online, where anyone with a working knowledge of C++ can dive in and add weapons, recipes, and more information into the simulation's already abyssal depths.
—Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, 17 Dec. 2018
Even here, though, abyssal tuba notes exposed a sonic substratum.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2017
Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 7 Apr. 2026
Advertisement The cliché of the grandmaster whose mind has been tied in knots contemplating the abyssal depths of a chess game is largely a fantasy; despite a few high-profile cases, no statistical link has been established between skill in chess and madness.
—Jordan Himelfarb, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
The heart of noir tends to be nihilism, its abyssal mood a veil that invites you to glimpse the darker machinery of a world ruled by insurmountable powers where resistance leads only to ruin.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
For its part, TMC intends to have large vessels out at sea deploying collector vehicles down to abyssal depths of 2.5-3.75 miles (4-6 km) in the Clarion Clipperton Zone in the Pacific Ocean.
—New Atlas, 5 Apr. 2025
Seamounts are underwater mountains that rise hundreds or thousands of feet from the seafloor and can provide a vital habitat for marine life, while abyssal hills are smaller, underwater mounds.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2025
Three years of computer modeling found the Antarctic overturning circulation – also known as abyssal ocean overturning – is on track to slow 42% by 2050 if the world continues to burn fossil fuels and produce high levels of planet-heating pollution.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN, 29 Mar. 2023
As an open-source project, C:DDA has its inner workings posted freely online, where anyone with a working knowledge of C++ can dive in and add weapons, recipes, and more information into the simulation's already abyssal depths.
—Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, 17 Dec. 2018
Even here, though, abyssal tuba notes exposed a sonic substratum.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abyssal
Adjective
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Otherwise, Makar will be wincing through pain trying to explain the unfathomable, Blackwood will be dropping F-bombs in disbelief and MacKinnon will be ducking reporters despite being the team’s best player.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
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Once again, the Spurs won the first quarter, this time, 41-22, increasing their first-quarter cushion on the series to an unfathomable 47 points.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
11 June 2026
Adjective
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Researchers explored the remains during multiple deep-sea submersible trips in 2023, collecting samples and mapping the extent of the necropolis.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
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The world's largest whale graveyard has been discovered at the bottom of the Indian Ocean by Chinese scientists, who found that the vast expanse of both new and ancient carcasses supports huge communities of deep-sea life.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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Here, the red planet is bold, restless and motivated by the infinite possibilities.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Here is an infinite universe to explore and enjoy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Barclays forecasts 131 active deepwater rigs will be up and running by the end of 2027, up from 122 today, which will serve as a tailwind for offshore stocks.—
Liz Napolitano,
CNBC,
7 May 2026
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Strategic location raises questions According to a South China Morning Post (SCMP) report, the drone-like object was discovered near the approaches to the Lombok Strait, one of the few deepwater routes in the region capable of accommodating submarines operating at operational depth.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Yet vast price increases can also be found in New Jersey in hotels close to MetLife Stadium, which will host Brazil’s opening group-stage fixture against Morocco on June 13.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
10 Dec. 2025
-
While the truce has largely held, also protecting Saudi Arabia and the UAE from unprecedented missile and drone strikes launched by Ansar Allah on their own territory, the group directed its vast arsenal widely suspected to be provided by Iran elsewhere two years later.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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The Arctic and sub-Arctic waters are nutrient-rich during the summer, which supports booming populations of amphipods and other benthic organisms.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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Researchers surveyed beforehand, monitored in real time across both the benthic (seafloor) and mid-water zones, and returned immediately after operations and again a year later.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Sargassum includes pelagic species of brown seaweed that have their origin offshore in the Atlantic Ocean and float on its surface, according to the FWC.—
Sarah Perkel,
USA Today,
4 May 2026
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Kona Blackwater Dive is an advanced, thrilling dive over deep water (thousands of feet) to witness the nightly migration of pelagic, alien-like and larval creatures.—
Ben Davidson,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Eco effort As mentioned above, the property is designed to take maximum advantage of the environment, from the marine breeze to natural light.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 June 2026
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Bain said following Thursday’s heat, an offshore jetstream flow that has compressed the marine layer and the Bay Area’s natural coolness will give way to the usual onshore flow.—
Rick Hurd,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abyssal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abyssal. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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