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
Roki Sasaki’s abysmal appearance faded away in the Dodgers’ 12-7 win over the San Diego Padres on Thursday night, but only after the National League West leaders rose from a catatonic first inning.
—
Liana Handler
follow,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
And the suddenly competitive division rave has been one of the league's biggest storylines after an abysmal opening month for the Phillies hit its lowest point in an early-season series against the Braves.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Unlike the Kispert addition in Atlanta, Murray is an abysmal outside shooter.
—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Many of these countries are well known for horrific human rights abuses, lack of justice and abysmal detention conditions.
—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
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Liana Handler
follow,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2026
And the suddenly competitive division rave has been one of the league's biggest storylines after an abysmal opening month for the Phillies hit its lowest point in an early-season series against the Braves.
—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2026
Unlike the Kispert addition in Atlanta, Murray is an abysmal outside shooter.
—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
29 June 2026
Many of these countries are well known for horrific human rights abuses, lack of justice and abysmal detention conditions.
—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
Cite this Entry
“Abysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abysmal. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
abysmal
adjective
abys·mal
ə-ˈbiz-məl
1
a
: extremely poor or bad
abysmal living conditions
b
: having an immense extension downward, backward, or inward
2
: abyssal
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