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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.

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 • Feb. 19, 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

"My first thought when they approached me about taking part was abject terror," said the 39-year-old.

From BBC • Nov. 19, 2025

The nation of Braveheart alternated exclusively between valiant defeat and abject humiliation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 19, 2025

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

From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith

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.