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

The Penguins have very much been in a tailspin since the 4 Nations Face-Off break and their performance two days earlier in Las Vegas was especially abysmal. —Josh Yohe, The Athletic, 10 Mar. 2025

New York has been abysmal defending both the paint and the three-point line this season, a weakness that changed instantly with Robinson’s presence. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 1 Mar. 2025

Cam Johnson finished with 13 points and did it on an abysmal 3-for-20 clip. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2025

After the abysmal start at Goodison Park, Amorim will have been desperate for a measured opening to this match. —Laurie Whitwell, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

abysm + -al entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Rhymes for abysmal

• baptismal
• aneurysmal
• paroxysmal
• dismal

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