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

: abyssal sense 2

abysmally

ə-ˈbiz-mə-lē 

a-

adverb

abysmally ignorant

an abysmally poor performance

Synonyms

• bottomless
• deep
• profound

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

Edward Keegan: Our stewardship of historic buildings has been abysmal. —Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune, 15 Dec. 2024

Regardless, the Niners’ pass rush — which has been abysmal without Nick Bosa — teed off on rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears’ abysmal protection. —Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 8 Dec. 2024

But, in reality, braceros often spent as much as 14 hours a day stooping to pick crops and lived in abysmal conditions. —Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 30 Nov. 2024

Carlos Miguel was abysmal in New York’s opening playoff match, conceding all goals in a 3-2 loss to Columbus. —Kyle Foley, Orlando Sentinel, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

abysm + -al entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Kids 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

abysmally

-mə-lē 

adverb