1
as in terrible
extremely unsatisfactory
The coach apologized for the abysmal performance of the team in the loss.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in deep
extending far downward
Strange sounds echoed from the abysmal reaches of the cave.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of abysmal
In an age when polarized politics have whipped extremists into a frenzy and disagreeing with someone’s views justifies physical assault among fringe elements, the assault on Omar is a new abysmal milestone of societal degradation.
—
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Connecticut has abysmal foster care reimbursement rates.
—Sarah Healy Eagan, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
His 2024 Colts were a truly abysmal unit that had no problem bouncing back under different leadership in 2025.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
The Chiefs offense had uneven success through the first 14 games, then looked abysmal when Mahomes was lost for the season because of a knee injury.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026
Connecticut has abysmal foster care reimbursement rates.
—Sarah Healy Eagan, Hartford Courant, 27 Jan. 2026
His 2024 Colts were a truly abysmal unit that had no problem bouncing back under different leadership in 2025.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
The Chiefs offense had uneven success through the first 14 games, then looked abysmal when Mahomes was lost for the season because of a knee injury.
—Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for abysmal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abysmal
Adjective
-
America just passed the 50th anniversary of one of its truly terrible days — one that future historians can track as the beginning of the end of our democracy.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Busch was terrible defensively at third.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Turn the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, turning once, until the daikon is tender and both sides are deep golden brown, 8–10 minutes.—
Chihiro Tomioka,
Saveur,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Journaling is also a great way to explore your deeper thoughts.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Miami is now 27-26, still mired in play-in territory, entering today’s matinee at horrible Washington.—
Greg Cote
February 8,
Miami Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
-
A lot of things have happened with regard to that horrible situation the last couple of hours.—
Kathy Tulumello,
AZCentral.com,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For the journalist’s son, Anshul Chhatrapati, the verdict was a moment of profound relief after a fight extending nearly two decades.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Cuddihy and his colleagues theorized that these regular encounters with fire—and their unwanted consequences—would inevitably have a profound effect on any species over tens of thousands of years.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Semmann said stores raise prices primarily in response to supply chain issues, such as poor harvests, changes to international trade policy or increasing logistical costs.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Boating conditions are poor across offshore waters south of Cape Canaveral, while small craft need to exercise caution near the inlets.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Bowing to popular demand, Fennell’s lackluster film doesn’t really bother with the stylistic flourishes of the source — this is really just the Cathy and Heathcliffe show, two awful people competing to destroy each other and threatening to take us to hell with them into the bargain.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
-
In a stroke of awful timing, Devonta’s grandfather also dies during filming.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
On the contrary, Democrats in Congress scored a particularly dismal 18 percent approval rating in a Quinnipiac University poll released in mid-December, a record low.—
Mark Leibovich,
The Atlantic,
11 Feb. 2026
-
City had 61 per cent possession and their passing accuracy in the final third was 84 per cent before the break compared to Liverpool’s dismal 43 per cent.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Alesia overfilled the pans, which means the muffins look atrocious.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Schein directs the show with tongue firmly planted in cheek, so there are many amusing sight gags (like an atrocious comb-over wig).—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abysmal. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
