abysmal

adjective

abys·​mal ə-ˈbiz-məl How to pronounce abysmal (audio)
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
abysmally adverb
abysmally ignorant
an abysmally poor performance

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
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.
Public defensive metrics like Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average show the Yankees were above average defensively in 2024, contrary to the narrative that the club was abysmal all year. Chris Kirschner, The Athletic, 19 Feb. 2025 Yet that competition can’t entirely account for Tesla’s latest, abysmal numbers. Patrick George, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2025 The duo got a decent start by fielding a tape from a British music journalist of the era who was lucky to secure time with Page and Bonham, but the sound quality was abysmal. Devon Ivie, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2025 Ellison’s office filed suit against the farm in January 2024 after dozens of complaints from workers regarding wage theft and abysmal worker housing. Forum News Service, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for abysmal

Word History

Etymology

abysm + -al entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of abysmal was circa 1656

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Cite this Entry

“Abysmal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abysmal. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

abysmal

adjective
abys·​mal ə-ˈbiz-məl How to pronounce abysmal (audio)
1
a
: extremely poor or bad
abysmal living conditions
b
: having an immense extension downward, backward, or inward
2
abysmally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on abysmal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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