1
as in unfathomable
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as in deep-sea
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Recent Examples of abyssal
Advertisement The cliché of the grandmaster whose mind has been tied in knots contemplating the abyssal depths of a chess game is largely a fantasy; despite a few high-profile cases, no statistical link has been established between skill in chess and madness.
—
Jordan Himelfarb, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
The heart of noir tends to be nihilism, its abyssal mood a veil that invites you to glimpse the darker machinery of a world ruled by insurmountable powers where resistance leads only to ruin.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
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
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
Jordan Himelfarb, Time, 15 Dec. 2025
The heart of noir tends to be nihilism, its abyssal mood a veil that invites you to glimpse the darker machinery of a world ruled by insurmountable powers where resistance leads only to ruin.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
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
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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Many aspects of the story read like a Hollywood script and are unfathomable to the average American.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
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There’s no way of knowing this frigid February how all these players and coaches will work out, but to get this much done in this short a time certainly shows high-level energy, high-level organization, unfathomable relentlessness.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Treat yourself to a deep-sea fishing charter for memories that will last forever.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Feb. 2026
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Researchers initially set out to investigate cold seeps, deep-sea areas where methane and other chemical emissions from the ocean floor sustain microbial life.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But that infinite magazine comes with a problem.—
Deni Ellis Béchard,
Scientific American,
13 Feb. 2026
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All that work adds up to a seemingly infinite number of layers.—
Shilpa Uskokovic,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Among the clearest statements of China’s intent in the Western Hemisphere came in the fall of 2024, when Xi traveled to Peru to inaugurate the Chancay Port, the largest deepwater facility on the western coast of South America.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
14 Jan. 2026
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Friday’s announcement marks the first time that deepwater shark species have been added to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora’s lists of regulated species.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
1 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Last year was the deadliest on record for the community, with 252 killed – the vast majority by gunfire – according to a report published by Abraham Initiatives, a group that advances social inclusion and equal rights for Israel’s Palestinian citizens.—
Zeena Saifi,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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The vast majority of people who are reported missing are believed to be runaways — not kidnapped or abducted.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Arctic and sub-Arctic waters are nutrient-rich during the summer, which supports booming populations of amphipods and other benthic organisms.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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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
Adjective
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One third of pelagic sharks and rays are now threatened with extinction.—
Melissa Cristina Márquez,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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Shallow slip The researchers found that, in the case of Tōhoku, the normal layer of firm rock that usually sits between the plates actually consisted of a 30-meter-thick layer of pelagic clay, a soft, slippery substance that accumulated there over millions of years as microscopic particles settled.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
23 Dec. 2025
Adjective
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Protective coatings and paints are one of the most mature applications, especially in marine, industrial, automotive, and infrastructure settings, where self-healing layers can close micro-scratches and prevent corrosion.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
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But fertilizing terrestrial crops with marine material may muddle that work.—
Meghan Bartels,
Scientific American,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Abyssal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abyssal. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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