abysmally

USAGE SUMMARY

"abysmally" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is extremely bad or inadequate. Example: "The team's performance was abysmally poor." Alternative expressions include "terribly" and "atrociously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Senegal failed abysmally to find the right formula for getting the best out of their array of fine forwards but their new coaches, Joseph Koto and Karim Séga Diouf, are plotting to rearrange their midfield to do just that.

The Guardian - Sport

IPCC chairman, Dr Ragendra Pachauri wrote, "The quantity of electricity traded internationally is abysmally small.

The Economist

Now they want a new stadium (perhaps costing $300m) and the state to pay for a third of it.The Saints have performed abysmally for most of their 30-year history.

The Economist

Mr Richwine had co-authored an abysmally rigged study with then-colleague Robert Rector that cast Hispanic immigrants as welfare leeches draining the lifeblood from the body politic.I suspect that Mr Richwine may have been able to survive either controversy taken in isolation.

The Economist

Yet so far, self-regulation has failed abysmally.

The Economist

Levels of trust are so abysmally low that some big governments would basically like something like a Cold War spy swap, with Mr Klaus and a pen poised at one end of a foggy bridge, and the council conclusions ready for approval at the other.

The Economist

The EIU, a sister company to The Economist, predicts annual GDP growth of nearly 4% a year until 2018.Mr Mansha sees other hopeful signs, particularly in Pakistan's abysmally skimpy trade with India.

The Economist

More importantly, she has performed abysmally when standing in for Mr Wahid in cabinet: her main policy goal, apparently, is to ensure that meetings end on time.Fortunately for the president, Miss Megawati is not pushing too hard for more authority.

The Economist

Another study reports that India's labour productivity remains "abysmally low .The industrial slowdown that began in 1997 jolted companies.

The Economist

Its abysmally low current share is a huge constraint on policymaking.

The Economist

Capacity use at Indian call centres is "abysmally low," says Mr Jain of Accenture.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abysmally" to emphasize the extremely poor or inadequate nature of something. Its strong connotation makes it effective for highlighting severe deficiencies.

Common error

Avoid using "abysmally" in contexts that require a neutral or mildly negative tone. Its strong negative connotation can make your writing sound overly dramatic or biased.

Linguistic Context

Abysmally functions as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to express an extremely negative degree. As Ludwig indicates, it intensifies the meaning of the word it modifies, highlighting a severe deficiency or failure. For example, "The team performed abysmally."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Abysmally is an adverb used to describe something done extremely poorly, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of the strong negative connotation and avoid overuse in neutral situations. Alternative phrases like "terribly" or "atrociously" can provide similar meanings with varying degrees of intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terribly

Replaces "abysmally" with a simpler and more common synonym to express a very negative quality.

atrociously

Substitutes "abysmally" with a word that emphasizes the shocking or appalling nature of something.

dreadfully

Replaces "abysmally" with a term indicating extreme unpleasantness or poor quality.

awfully

Substitutes "abysmally" with a more informal term that still conveys a high degree of negativity.

deplorably

Replaces "abysmally" with a word that highlights the regrettable or shameful nature of something.

woefully

Substitutes "abysmally" with a term that emphasizes the inadequacy or deficiency of something.

lamentably

Replaces "abysmally" with a word highlighting the regrettable or unfortunate nature of something.

execrably

Substitutes "abysmally" with a more formal and less common term expressing extreme disapproval.

appallingly

Replaces "abysmally" with a term that emphasizes the shocking and upsetting nature of something.

shockingly

Substitutes "abysmally" with a word that focuses on the surprising and disturbing nature of something.

FAQs

How can I use "abysmally" in a sentence?

"Abysmally" is used as an adverb to describe something done very poorly or badly. For example: "The team performed "abysmally" during the finals."

What are some alternatives to "abysmally"?

Alternatives to "abysmally" include "terribly", "atrociously", or "dreadfully". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "abysmally" in formal writing?

Yes, "abysmally" can be used in formal writing when you need to strongly emphasize the poor quality or performance of something. However, ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your piece.

What is the difference between "abysmally" and "poorly"?

"Abysmally" indicates an extremely poor level, while "poorly" simply means not good or deficient. "Abysmally" is a stronger and more dramatic term than "poorly".