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Abysmal Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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abysmal

[əˈbɪz.məl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

quality

Extremely bad or severe; dreadful, appalling.

Synonyms

appalling, dreadful, horrendous, terrible.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
abysmal

Used to describe something extremely bad or of very low quality, usually in a serious context or about a disappointing performance.

  • The team's performance this season has been abysmal.
  • The living conditions in the camp are abysmal.
appalling

Often used when something is shockingly bad or causes horror and disgust. It can describe actions, situations, or conditions.

  • The food at that restaurant was appalling.
  • The appalling cruelty to animals shocked everyone.
dreadful

Used to describe something very bad or unpleasant. It can be used in both serious and less serious contexts.

  • He made a dreadful mistake.
  • The weather has been dreadful this week.
terrible

A general term used to describe something very bad or of poor quality. It is the most commonly used among the listed words and can be applied in various contexts.

  • She felt terrible about missing the meeting.
  • The movie was absolutely terrible.
horrendous

Refers to something especially bad or unpleasant, often implying a sense of horror. It is used in serious situations.

  • The accident caused horrendous injuries.
  • The conditions in the prison were horrendous.

Examples of usage

  • The movie received abysmal reviews from critics.
  • The company's financial situation is abysmal.
  • The team's performance was abysmal during the tournament.
Context #2 | Adjective

depth

Extremely deep or profound; bottomless.

Synonyms

bottomless, deep, infinite, profound.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
abysmal

Used to describe something very bad or of extremely low quality, often causing disappointment or frustration.

  • The service at the restaurant was abysmal.
  • Her performance in the exam was abysmal.
profound

Used to describe something of great depth, intensity, or seriousness, often relating to thoughts, feelings, or knowledge.

  • His speech had a profound impact on the audience.
  • She made a profound discovery in her research.
deep

Can refer to physical depth, emotional depth, or complexity in various situations.

  • The lake is very deep.
  • She has deep feelings for him.
  • Let's have a deep discussion about this topic.
bottomless

Used when describing something that seems endless or without limits, often metaphorically. Can also refer to something literally without a bottom, like a pit or hole.

  • He has a bottomless appetite for knowledge.
  • They gazed into the bottomless abyss.
infinite

Used to describe something without any limits or end, such as quantity, space, or time.

  • The universe is considered to be infinite.
  • He had an infinite number of ideas.

Examples of usage

  • The cave was so dark and abysmal that we couldn't see anything.
  • She gazed into the abysmal depths of the ocean.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In literature, 'abysmal' often describes situations that are distressing, such as characters facing dire challenges.
  • Numerous authors have used the term to convey despair, highlighting how it can evoke strong emotional reactions in readers.

Psychology

  • Studies suggest that experiencing 'abysmal' situations can lead to feelings of helplessness, which affect mental well-being.
  • Awareness of poor circumstances, described as 'abysmal', can motivate individuals to actively seek change or improvement in their lives.

Education

  • In academic contexts, students may describe their grades as 'abysmal' when they feel they have significantly underperformed.
  • Teachers may assess educational resources as 'abysmal' when they do not meet the necessary standards or fail to engage students effectively.

Pop Culture

  • The term has been used in music and movies to express disappointment, indicating low quality in talent or productions.
  • Popular personalities and critics commonly use 'abysmal' when describing films or shows that fall drastically short of expectations.

Origin of 'abysmal'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Greek 'abyssos', meaning 'bottomless' or 'infinite', which relates to its meaning of something severe or extreme.
  • Initially used in English in the 16th century, it primarily referred to deep, mysterious places before evolving to describe poor conditions.

The word 'abysmal' originated from the Late Latin word 'abyssimus', which means 'bottomless' or 'very deep'. It entered the English language in the early 17th century. Over time, 'abysmal' has come to be used to describe something extremely bad or profound, reflecting the idea of a bottomless pit or abyss. Its usage has evolved to convey a sense of extreme negativity or depth, making it a powerful adjective in describing the most severe or profound situations.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,292, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.