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

Examples 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 It's been a long time since a movie took me from laughing to abject horror in five minutes flat. —

Ars Technica, 31 Oct. 2024 The agency has 11 food distribution centers for 1 million people in Gaza, more than half of whom UNRWA assesses to live below the abject poverty line of US$ 1.74 per person per day. —

Nadeen Ebrahim and Salma Arafa, CNN, 28 Oct. 2024 One in five children live in the most abject, dangerous, hopeless, back-breaking, gut-wrenching poverty any of us could imagine. —

Lizzie Logan, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2024 After a cynical congratulations from the Front Man, Gi-hun is unceremoniously dumped on the streets of Seoul, where the traumatized man refuses his winnings and lives in abject poverty for a year. —

Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for abject

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abject

Adjective

The Type 2 sits among some of the more humble and accessible classics.

— Trinity Francis, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
The Blakes are a humble family and the idea of her dad blowing past security to storm the court had Mikayla cracking up.

— Grace Raynor, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025