1
as in unfathomable
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as in deep-sea
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Recent Examples of abyssal
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
Beijing announced new tariffs against the US on Friday, deepening the already abyssal trade war between the two countries.
—Aj Willingham, CNN, 26 Aug. 2019
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
Before New Horizons flew by, scientists thought there wouldn’t be much in the way of geological activity happening out there on the fringe, where temperatures are decidedly abyssal and materials tend to freeze in place.
—National Geographic, 14 July 2016
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
Beijing announced new tariffs against the US on Friday, deepening the already abyssal trade war between the two countries.
—Aj Willingham, CNN, 26 Aug. 2019
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
Before New Horizons flew by, scientists thought there wouldn’t be much in the way of geological activity happening out there on the fringe, where temperatures are decidedly abyssal and materials tend to freeze in place.
—National Geographic, 14 July 2016
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abyssal
Adjective
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Future threats to Uruguayan waterfowl conservation notwithstanding, for our group of American bird hunters, another clear-cool afternoon proves ideal to visit the edge of a grove of eucalyptus, a favorite roost for nearly unfathomable numbers of doves.—
Chris Dorsey,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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Here are the four teams that did the unfathomable and won on the road: Cavs over Warriors (2016): LeBron James had The Block, Kyrie Irving hit that go-ahead shot and Kevin Love had The Stop in a 93-89 win.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Smith’s witch eels are deep-sea dwellers, found at depths of about 850 to 1,500 feet, the study said.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
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That first deep-sea mining project didn't quite go as planned.—
Daniel Ackerman,
NPR,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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There are, after all, a finite number of traditional colleges, but a seemingly infinite number of pathways beyond college.—
Maria Flynn,
Time,
11 July 2025
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Creative nonfiction, by contrast, demands loyalty to fact but offers infinite flexibility in perspective, interpretation, and voice.—
Matthew Clark Davison,
Literary Hub,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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The crew aboard a converted Navy vessel known as the Okeanos Explorer have since April 8 been mapping and exploring unexplored deepwater regions of Hawaii.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
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And while the city’s geopolitical importance may have faded, its deepwater port is increasingly attracting large cruise ships that have been banished from Venice, located roughly two hours southwest.—
Elizabeth Heath,
Travel + Leisure,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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Police pointed out that the vast majority of deaths at the time occurred after the park’s closing time and encouraged community members to be mindful of local rules.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2025
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With a double harbor set at the tip of a long and sinewy peninsula on a highly strategic coastline, Knidos grew rich from its favorable natural position and from trading wine, olive oil and vast quantities of amphorae.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
Adjective
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According to the study authors, these changes can be tied to stagnation and decline in the ocean’s biodiversity, particularly among benthic animals, or animals associated with the bottom of the sea, such as corals, crustaceans, and brachiopods.—
Sam Walters,
Discover Magazine,
24 June 2025
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The scientists noticed a drop in their prey, such as small pelagic fishes in the case of seals and smaller benthic sharks in the case of sevengill sharks.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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But since these pelagic fish spend most of their time at depths of 1,000 feet or more, and are typically only caught by ocean longliners, scientists are still trying to understand their biology and life histories.—
Dac Collins,
Outdoor Life,
18 June 2025
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The scientists noticed a drop in their prey, such as small pelagic fishes in the case of seals and smaller benthic sharks in the case of sevengill sharks.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Steve Kessel, director of marine research at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium, applauds the educational possibilities of Shark Week, even when the outlandish outweighs the science.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
6 July 2025
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Reef habitats support aquatic plants and animals, allowing young marine life to develop.—
Rafe Pomerance,
Sun Sentinel,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Abyssal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abyssal. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
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