abyss

noun

ə-ˈbis How to pronounce abyss (audio)
Definition of abyssnext
as in ocean
an immeasurable depth or space looking down at the dark ocean from the ship's rail, the cruise passenger felt as though he was staring into an abyss

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example 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 abyss Sun Yuqi An underdog’s shortcut through a success scam, from city vanity to border wilderness, becomes a fatal abyss. — Jenny S. Li, Variety, 17 June 2026 If there have been peaks and valleys in terms of social freedoms since 1979 (President Mohammad Khatami’s tenure being a higher point), Iranians are currently in an abyss. — Joobin Bekhrad, Time, 10 June 2026 While the Kings have plenty on the flank after the February addition of Artemi Panarin, Kuzmenko was a positive contributor when healthy and trusted last season, while their needs in the middle are less of a hole and more of an abyss. — Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 28 June 2026 With their season teetering toward the abyss, the New York Mets will recall left-hander Zach Thornton from Triple A on Thursday, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation, in the Mets’ latest attempt to patch a struggling rotation. — Will Sammon, New York Times, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for abyss
Recent Examples of Synonyms for abyss
  1. ocean
  2. chasm
  3. gulf
  4. expanse
  5. deep
Noun
  • Such a prolonged period of higher-than-normal ocean temperatures can wreak havoc on wildlife.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous surf and NEVER turn your back on the ocean.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of ocean
Noun
  • The primary goal of the minor leagues has never been winning, but without a certain level of competition, many people believe the gap between the highest affiliate and the big leagues has become a chasm.
    — Brittany Ghiroli, New York Times, 1 July 2026
  • As both the designer and owner of the house, Rashid quickly discovered the chasm between his aesthetic and Home Depot’s.
    — Dean Kaufman, Curbed, 30 June 2026
Definition of chasm
Noun
  • The tournament has largely been a success from the football side, but the gulf in quality between teams has been notable at times, with individual errors rife.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 28 June 2026
  • However, ships have been increasingly trying to leave the gulf in recent days.
    — Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026
Definition of gulf
Noun
  • The cosmos may be rich creative terrain, but Muse deal with the terrifying, destabilizing fact of the universe’s infinite expanse by simply trying to fill it up.
    — Liam Inscoe-Jones, Pitchfork, 1 July 2026
  • In the 19th and early 20th centuries, towns exploded across the Piedmont, an expanse of rolling hills sandwiched between the Appalachian Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean.
    — Amethyst Ganaway, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026
Definition of expanse
Noun
  • The earlier Supergirl, headlined by Helen Slater, deep-sixed at the box office with just over $14M domestic per Box Office Mojo.
    — Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 29 June 2026
  • Ewers followed it up by trying to squeeze another pass into a tight window deep, but overthrew his target high for an incompletion.
    — David Furones, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2026
Definition of deep

Browse Nearby Words

abysms
abyss
abyssal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Abyss.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/abyss. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on abyss

Nglish: Translation of abyss for Spanish Speakers

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