abject

[ab-jekt, ab-jekt]

adjective

1. utterly hopeless, miserable, humiliating, or wretched.

   abject poverty.

   Synonyms: miserable, degrading

2. contemptible; despicable; base-spirited.

   an abject coward.

   Synonyms: vile, low, mean, base

3. shamelessly servile; slavish.

4. Obsolete.,  cast aside.

abject

/ ˈæbdʒɛkt /

adjective

1. utterly wretched or hopeless

2. miserable; forlorn; dejected

3. indicating humiliation; submissive

   an abject apology

4. contemptible; despicable; servile

   an abject liar

Other Word Forms

• abjectly adverb
• abjectness noun
• abjectedness noun
• unabject adjective
• unabjectly adverb
• unabjectness noun
• abjection noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abject¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin abjectus thrown down (past participle of abicere, abjicere ), equivalent to ab- ab- + -jec- throw + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of abject¹

C14: (in the sense: rejected, cast out): from Latin abjectus thrown or cast away, from abjicere, from ab- away + jacere to throw

Example Sentences

Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern said deaths must be seen as an "abject failure that cannot be tolerated" or accepted as normal.

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Skateboarding as a middle-aged woman is often a lesson in abject humiliation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Although he said there are "no abject rules" on who can and cannot compete, when he moved to Manchester it felt like the chance to represent the Republic of Ireland on the show was closer.

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“Upper Classy,” which premieres Tuesday on Netflix, is the last of a trilogy of specials about Alonzo’s experience growing up in abject poverty, a subject matter that will feel familiar for longtime fans.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In an abject performance, England reached 82-2 only to be dismissed in 24.3 overs in their first white-ball matches since Brook began his tenure by sweeping aside West Indies at the start of the summer.

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Related Words

• wretched