ABJECT Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'abject' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of abject are ignoble , mean , and sordid . While all these words mean "being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity," abject may imply degradation, debasement, or servility. // abject poverty

Q: When might 'ignoble' be a better fit than 'abject'?

In some situations, the words ignoble and abject are roughly equivalent. However, ignoble suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality of mind or spirit. // an ignoble scramble after material possessions

Q: When is it sensible to use 'mean' instead of 'abject'?

While in some cases nearly identical to abject , mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity. // mean and petty satire

Q: When would 'sordid' be a good substitute for 'abject'?

Although the words sordid and abject have much in common, sordid is stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation and abjectness. // a sordid story of murder and revenge

abject

adjective

ˈab-ˌjekt

Definition of abject next

as in humble

showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness demanded nothing less than an abject apology from them

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How does the adjective abject differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of abject are ignoble, mean, and sordid. While all these words mean "being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity," abject may imply degradation, debasement, or servility.

abject poverty

When might ignoble be a better fit than abject?

In some situations, the words ignoble and abject are roughly equivalent. However, ignoble suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality of mind or spirit.

an ignoble scramble after material possessions

When is it sensible to use mean instead of abject?

While in some cases nearly identical to abject, mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity.

mean and petty satire

When would sordid be a good substitute for abject?

Although the words sordid and abject have much in common, sordid is stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation and abjectness.

a sordid story of murder and revenge

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 abject The multiyear project will have been an abject failure. —

Makena Kelly, WIRED, 15 Jan. 2025 For instance, all trials involving a cylinder shape were abject failures, unable to keep the hoop aloft. —

Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Jan. 2025 Much of this might have been avoided, but for a worse crime, one that no presidential pardon can fix: the abject failure of America’s science journalists to do their jobs and ask questions. —

Cory Franklin, Twin Cities, 2 Jan. 2025 This fundamental work anchors a double presentation of works by Kai Althoff (German, born 1966) and Jana Euler (German, born 1982), two artists whose drawings, paintings and sculptures engage with abject imagery, often presenting delirious or complex emotional landscapes in their figuration. —

Erica Wertheim Zohar, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for abject

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abject

Adjective

Neville has always been humble about his playing career, instead pointing to the talent of those around him, from Cantona to Beckham and many others in between.

— Matt Slater, The Athletic, 15 Feb. 2025
Though Saturday Night excoriates Chase as a haughty frat-adjacent character and the actor’s reputation as being difficult to work with precedes him, an early writer paints a more humble picture.

— Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2025