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Synonyms

abject

American  
[ab-jekt, ab-jekt] / ˈæb dʒɛkt, æbˈdʒɛkt /

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 British  
/ 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
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of abject

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A mere two seasons ago, the Wolverines were such an abject disaster that they lost 24 games and fired their coach.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

"He lived in abject poverty. His home had been destroyed," his son, Wilson Maina Kiambati, told AFP.

From Barron's • Feb. 14, 2026

Kelly’s stint as offensive coordinator was an abject failure: Among 32 NFL teams, Las Vegas is tied for last at 15.0 points per game and is 30th with 268.9 in total yards per game.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 24, 2025

Read Wilson said he initially felt "abject terror" about taking part but is now "feeling excited" about entering the Australian jungle.

From BBC • Nov. 19, 2025

I bend down and pretend to fix my heel so he can’t see the abject horror and embarrassment on my face.

From "Love, Hate & Other Filters" by Samira Ahmed

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.