abysmal
adjective
abys·mal
ə-ˈbiz-məl 
a-
1
a
: immeasurably low or wretched : extremely poor or bad
abysmal ignorance/poverty
abysmal living conditions
an abysmal performance
b
: having immense or fathomless extension downward, backward, or inward
an abysmal cliff
2
Examples of abysmal in a Sentence
They were living in abysmal ignorance.
a desperate cry echoing from the abysmal reaches of the cave
Recent Examples on the Web
And while cost plays a role, at least one study found that even when drugs are free, adherence can be abysmal.
—
Gina Kolata, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024
However, no other party scored higher—a reflection of the abysmal state of Palestinian politics.
—Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for abysmal 
Gina Kolata, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2024
However, no other party scored higher—a reflection of the abysmal state of Palestinian politics.
—Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for abysmal
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'abysmal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near abysmal
Cite this Entry
“Abysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abysmal. Accessed 4 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
abysmal
adjective
abys·mal
ə-ˈbiz-məl
1
: resembling an abyss in huge extent
abysmal ignorance
2
: abyssal
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