abyss

noun

ə-ˈbis How to pronounce abyss (audio)
a-
also ˈa-(ˌ)bis
Synonyms of abyss
1
a
: an immeasurably deep gulf or great space
gazed down into the gaping abyss
the ocean's abysses
(figurative) a widening abyss between the rich and the poor
b
: intellectual or moral depths
an abyss of moral depravity
an abyss of despair
2
: the bottomless gulf, pit, or chaos of the old cosmogonies

Examples of abyss in a Sentence

looking down at the dark ocean from the ship's rail, the cruise passenger felt as though he was staring into an abyss
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Their mouths moved with empty words that floated into the abyss. Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 While the Kings have plenty on the flank after the February addition of Artemi Panarin, Kuzmenko was a positive contributor when healthy and trusted last season, while their needs in the middle are less of a hole and more of an abyss. Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 28 June 2026 The drugs seem more like a trip into the abyss instead of a gateway to euphoria. Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 26 June 2026 Hassan said that workers affected by the ban were in an abyss. Nirit Peled, New Yorker, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for abyss

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin abyssus, borrowed from Greek ábyssos "bottomless, unfathomable, (as noun) bottomless gulf," from a- a- entry 2 + byssós "depth of the sea," probably going back to *byth-yos, derivative of bythós "depth, deepest part, bottom," probably of pre-Greek substratal origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of abyss was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abyss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abyss. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

abyss

noun
: a gulf so deep or a space so great that it cannot be measured

More from Merriam-Webster on abyss

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster