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.

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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

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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

The decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title is "abject" and "we have to denounce it" a senior figure at African football's governing body has said.

From BBC

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

Just two years ago, they were among the worst teams ever to set foot on the hardwood, an abject disaster that once lost 28 games in a row.

From The Wall Street Journal

India say they can peak at the right time and play their "perfect game" in the Super Eights at the T20 World Cup, while playing down the abject form of opening batsman Abhishek Sharma.

From Barron's

Somehow he had to mask his abject terror with a look of calm courage.

From Literature

Related Words

• wretched