If you describe a situation or the condition of something as abysmal, you think that it is very bad or poor in quality.
...our abysmal record at producing a scientifically trained workforce.
The general standard of racing was abysmal.
Synonyms: dreadful, bad, terrible [informal], awful More Synonyms of abysmal
abysmallyadverb [ADVERB adjective, ADVERB after verb]
The standard of education was abysmally low.
As the chart shows, it has failed abysmally.
abysmal in British English
(əˈbɪzməl)
adjective
1.
immeasurable; very great
abysmal stupidity
2. informal
extremely bad
an abysmal film
Derived forms
abysmally (aˈbysmally)
adverb
abysmal in American English
(əˈbɪzməl)
adjective
1.
of or like an abyss; bottomless; unfathomable
2.
wretched to the point of despair; immeasurably bad
abysmal poverty
Derived forms
abysmally (aˈbysmally)
adverb
Word origin
abysm + -al
Examples of 'abysmal' in a sentence
abysmal
The common factor is the abysmal quality of detective work.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It takes some hiding from facts to regard yourself as a successful rugby nation with such an abysmal record.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But practising with the pressure of a packed stadium could improve their abysmal record.
The Sun (2012)
The abysmal hypocrisy and failure of the organic movement should be a warning to all environmentalists.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But he is certainly not buying himself any at the moment with abysmal performances like this.
The Sun (2014)
These abysmal results are not due to lack of trying.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Wages and backstage conditions were abysmal, ticket prices kept as low as could be.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
There will be public protests against the kingdom's abysmal human rights record.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The decline is clearly not confined to abysmal on-field performances.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
His academic record was abysmal.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The best is Britain's abysmal productivity record.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
His offer to give up 60 per cent of his bonus last month was just a publicity stunt to divert passenger fury at his abysmal record.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
With, yes you guessed it, abysmal results.
The Sun (2011)
After an abysmal performance against Norwich City last month he wondered aloud about whether his squad were good enough.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The surprise then was down to the fact that he had an abysmal record in The Open up to that point.
The Sun (2016)
AN abysmal Arsenal defensive performance but Stoke deserved their win.
The Sun (2011)
We see less of the countryside, breathe more polluted air and spend a larger proportion of our hours commuting, usually in abysmal conditions.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
His inability to accept his responsibility, and worse still to blame it on civil servants, is a completely unconvincing attempt to cover up abysmal failure.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Chinese translation of 'abysmal'
abysmal
(əˈbɪzməl)
adj
[conditions, wages, performance]糟糕的 (zāogāo de)
an abysmal failure彻(徹)底的失败(敗) (chèdǐ de shībài)
Nearby words of
abysmal
abundant
abuse
abusive
abysmal
abyss
academic
academic year
Related terms of
abysmal
an abysmal failure
(adjective)
Definition
extremely bad
The general standard was abysmal.
Synonyms
dreadful
They told us the dreadful news.
bad
terrible (informal)
I have the most terrible nightmares.
awful
Even if the weather's awful there's still lots to do.
appalling
They have been living under the most appalling conditions.
dismal
the country's dismal record in the Olympics
dire
a book of verse which ranged from the barely tolerable to the utterly dire
ghastly
This wallpaper is absolutely ghastly.
hideous
His family was subjected to a hideous attack.
atrocious
The food here is atrocious.
godawful (informal)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of appalling
Definition
causing dismay, horror, or revulsion
They have been living under the most appalling conditions.
Synonyms
horrifying,
shocking (informal),
terrible,
alarming,
frightening,
scaring,
awful,
terrifying,
horrible,
grim,
dreadful,
intimidating,
dismaying,
horrific,
fearful (informal),
daunting,
dire,
astounding,
ghastly,
hideous,
shameful,
harrowing,
vile,
unnerving,
petrifying,
horrid,
unspeakable,
frightful,
nightmarish,
abominable,
disheartening,
godawful (slang),
hellacious (US, slang),
from hell (informal)
in the sense of atrocious
Definition
horrifying or shocking
The food here is atrocious.
Synonyms
shocking,
terrible (informal),
appalling,
horrible,
godawful (slang),
hellacious (US, slang),
execrable,
detestable
in the sense of awful
Even if the weather's awful there's still lots to do.