ABJECT Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'abject' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of abject are ignoble , mean , and sordid . While all these words mean "being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity," abject may imply degradation, debasement, or servility. // abject poverty

Q: When might 'ignoble' be a better fit than 'abject'?

In some situations, the words ignoble and abject are roughly equivalent. However, ignoble suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality of mind or spirit. // an ignoble scramble after material possessions

Q: When is it sensible to use 'mean' instead of 'abject'?

While in some cases nearly identical to abject , mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity. // mean and petty satire

Q: When would 'sordid' be a good substitute for 'abject'?

Although the words sordid and abject have much in common, sordid is stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation and abjectness. // a sordid story of murder and revenge

abject

adjective

ˈab-ˌjekt

Definition of abject next

as in humble

showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness demanded nothing less than an abject apology from them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective abject differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of abject are ignoble, mean, and sordid. While all these words mean "being below the normal standards of human decency and dignity," abject may imply degradation, debasement, or servility.

abject poverty

When might ignoble be a better fit than abject?

In some situations, the words ignoble and abject are roughly equivalent. However, ignoble suggests a loss or lack of some essential high quality of mind or spirit.

an ignoble scramble after material possessions

When is it sensible to use mean instead of abject?

While in some cases nearly identical to abject, mean suggests small-mindedness, ill temper, or cupidity.

mean and petty satire

When would sordid be a good substitute for abject?

Although the words sordid and abject have much in common, sordid is stronger than all of these in stressing physical or spiritual degradation and abjectness.

a sordid story of murder and revenge

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of abject After a cynical congratulations from the Front Man, Gi-hun is unceremoniously dumped on the streets of Seoul, where the traumatized man refuses his winnings and lives in abject poverty for a year. —

Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024 To believe otherwise is to believe a nation not far removed from abject poverty is somehow dense with investors eager to not just put wealth to work, but put wealth to work in ventures set to fail with 90 percent regularity. —

John Tamny, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024 Under these pretenses, Wrapped is an abject failure, a cheap magic trick that momentarily distracts you from the gun being held to the back of your head. —

Brady Brickner-Wood, The New Yorker, 10 Dec. 2024 Like Lozano, Gregg Berhalter won’t get away with abject failure lightly. —

Phil Hay, The Athletic, 1 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for abject

Recent Examples of Synonyms for abject

Adjective

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell Sen. Mitch McConnell, a Republican representing Kentucky and the party's longtime Senate leader, reflected on Carter's humble origins as a peanut farmer and member of the U.S. military before becoming president.

Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 30 Dec. 2024
The Palace of Versailles, known as château de Versailles in French, is a paragon of Baroque architecture that once served as a royal residence and the de facto capital of France—but its beginnings are far more humble.

Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 30 Dec. 2024