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
This whole Western Conference semifinal series against these defending champions has been a lose-lose proposition for the Lakers, who are now down 3-0 and staring into the elimination abyss in Game 4 on Monday.
—
Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
April and May’s weather seems Edenic, as if Florida is luring us forward towards the burning abyss of July, August, September and at least the first half of October.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
However, as the season progresses and Nia sinks further into the four-under-four abyss, Danny’s behavior is impossible to ignore.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Banks’ lack of effort during the 2024 season, in fact, was one of the factors that drove Dexter Lawrence to his breaking point of frustration in trying to lead a team without a winning culture of accountability out of the abyss.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for abyss
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Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
April and May’s weather seems Edenic, as if Florida is luring us forward towards the burning abyss of July, August, September and at least the first half of October.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
However, as the season progresses and Nia sinks further into the four-under-four abyss, Danny’s behavior is impossible to ignore.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 May 2026
Banks’ lack of effort during the 2024 season, in fact, was one of the factors that drove Dexter Lawrence to his breaking point of frustration in trying to lead a team without a winning culture of accountability out of the abyss.
—Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for abyss
Cite this Entry
“Abyss.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abyss. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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abyss
noun
: a gulf so deep or a space so great that it cannot be measured
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