failed abysmally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed abysmally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has not only failed but done so in a very significant or extreme manner. Example: "The project was intended to revolutionize the industry, but it failed abysmally due to lack of funding and support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Yet so far, self-regulation has failed abysmally.

The Economist

Despite reform plans, Jaruzelski failed abysmally to improve the economy.

Independent

The risk models that were commonly used on Wall Street failed abysmally.

The New Yorker

In the long run, however, it failed abysmally — and at a very high cost.

The New York Times

Even under one of its most progressive presidents, it has failed abysmally to do so.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even by their own yardsticks, Osborne and David Cameron have failed abysmally.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Is this just the "après moi, le déluge" satisfaction all leaders feel as they see their successors fail abysmally?

The Guardian - Opinion

On my first go I fail abysmally at level one and my runner doesn't make the jump.

The Guardian - Tech

Needless to say, Phineas fails abysmally in both endeavors, as one clue after another turns into a dead end.

The New York Times - Books

What's more, if a belief in Christ's divinity were used as a test of our politicians, many past American leaders would fail abysmally.

The New York Times

In Egypt, a similar majoritarianism continues to fail abysmally, as the Muslim Brotherhood's competence in governance is less than admirable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failed abysmally" to emphasize the magnitude of a failure, particularly when highlighting the unexpected or severe nature of the outcome. Ensure the context warrants the strong negative connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "failed abysmally" in contexts where the failure is minor or inconsequential. This phrase implies a significant and often shocking level of failure, so reserve it for situations that truly warrant such a strong description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed abysmally" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe how something failed. It intensifies the verb, indicating a profound and often unexpected level of failure. Ludwig AI shows the phrase used to emphasize the severity of outcomes across various domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed abysmally" is a potent expression used to describe a situation where something has not only failed but has done so in a profound and often surprising manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's considered grammatically correct and appears frequently in news and media sources. While alternatives like "failed miserably" or "utterly failed" exist, "failed abysmally" conveys a distinct sense of shock or dismay at the extent of the failure. Therefore, it's best reserved for situations where the magnitude of the failure truly warrants such a strong descriptor, and should be avoided in more mild situations. The phrase functions grammatically as an adverbial, modifying verbs to emphasize how something failed. Its prevalence in reputable news sources like The Guardian, The New York Times, and The Economist indicates its acceptance in formal writing, though its strong connotation warrants careful consideration of the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed miserably

Replaces "abysmally" with "miserably", offering a slightly less formal tone while retaining the core meaning of significant failure.

failed spectacularly

Substitutes "abysmally" with "spectacularly", emphasizing the scale and visibility of the failure.

utterly failed

Replaces "abysmally" with "utterly", intensifying the sense of complete failure.

failed completely

Emphasizes the completeness of the failure, similar to "utterly failed".

failed dismally

Uses "dismally" as a synonym for "abysmally", maintaining a similar level of formality.

failed disastrously

Replaces "abysmally" with "disastrously", highlighting the negative consequences of the failure.

fell flat

An idiomatic expression indicating a lack of success or impact, more informal than "failed abysmally".

bombed completely

Informal and emphasizes the totality and often unexpected nature of the failure.

proved a fiasco

Shifts the focus to the result being a complete failure and embarrassment.

was a total washout

An informal way to express complete failure, often used for events or plans.

FAQs

What does "failed abysmally" mean?

The phrase "failed abysmally" means to fail in a complete and miserable manner. It suggests a profound and often unexpected level of failure.

How to use "failed abysmally" in a sentence?

You can use "failed abysmally" to describe a situation where something or someone has not only failed but has done so in a spectacular or extremely poor way. For instance, "The project was intended to revolutionize the industry, but it "failed abysmally" due to lack of funding and support."

Which is correct, "failed abysmally" or "failed miserably"?

Both "failed abysmally" and "failed miserably" are correct, but "failed abysmally" suggests a more profound or shocking level of failure. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What can I say instead of "failed abysmally"?

You can use alternatives like "failed miserably", "failed completely", or "utterly failed" depending on the context.