What does "abject" mean?
A person in the lowest and most despicable condition; an oppressed person; an outcast; also, such people as a class.
Abject
/ˈæbd͡ʒɛkt/ adj, noun, verb
adj, noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A person in the lowest and most despicable condition; an oppressed person; an outcast; also, such people as a class.
- Grammar: abject is listed as adj, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: miserable, abominable, accepting, acquiescent.
- Useful contrasts: affluent, commendable, dignified.
- Usage evidence: Our vision of globalization empowers each and every person on the planet to be the best they can be, not to live in abject subjugation to a corporate governing body.
How to use "abject"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "abject" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "abject" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "abject" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "abject" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "abject" is acting as adj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "miserable" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "abject", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A person in the lowest and most despicable condition; an oppressed person; an outcast; also, such people as a class.
"Nevertheleſſe he thatt comfortith the abiecte⸝ comforted vs at the cõmynge of Titus."
Verb
- 1 To cast off or out (someone or something); to reject, especially as contemptible or inferior. archaic, transitive
"[…] Dauid durſt not touch Saul, though he vvas abiected by God."
- 2 To cast down (someone or something); to abase; to debase; to degrade; to lower; also, to forcibly impose obedience or servitude upon (someone); to subjugate. archaic, transitive
"What phrases of abjecting themselves, in respect of the prince, can exceed David's humble expressing of himself to Saul?"
- 3 Of a fungus: to (forcibly) give off (spores or sporidia). archaic, transitive
Adjective
- 1 Existing in or sunk to a low condition, position, or state; contemptible, despicable, miserable.
"These whelpes of the first lytter of gentilitie, these exhalations, drawen vp to the heauen of honour from the dunghill of abiect fortune, haue long been on horsebacke to come riding to your diuellship; but, I know not how, lyke Saint George, they are alwaies mounted but neuer moue."
- 2 Complete; downright; utter. broadly
"abject failure abject nonsense abject terror"
- 3 Lower than nearby areas; low-lying. broadly, rare
"The Roots of this Plant [healing wolfsbane (Aconitum anthora)] increaſe abundantly, ſoon overrunning a large Piece of Ground, therefore ſhould be confin'd in ſome abject Part of the Garden, or planted under Trees, it being very hardy, and growing in almoſt every Soil or Situation."
- 4 Of a person: cast down in hope or spirit; showing utter helplessness, hopelessness, or resignation; also, grovelling; ingratiating; servile.
"Oh Noble Lord, bethinke thee of thy birth, / Call home thy ancient thoughts from baniſhment, / And baniſh hence theſe abiect lovvlie dreames: […]"
- 5 Marginalized as deviant. noun-from-verb, usually
"The abject can easily be grafted onto the immigrant body, which is often conceived as something to be excluded in order to preserve a coherent yet racist national imaginary."
Adjective
- 1 showing humiliation or submissiveness wordnet
- 2 of the most contemptible kind wordnet
- 3 most unfortunate or miserable wordnet
- 4 showing utter resignation or hopelessness wordnet
Example
"Our vision of globalization empowers each and every person on the planet to be the best they can be, not to live in abject subjugation to a corporate governing body."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "abject"?
Common synonyms include: miserable, abominable, accepting, acquiescent, agreeable, apologetic.
How do you use "abject" in a sentence?
Our vision of globalization empowers each and every person on the planet to be the best they can be, not to live in abject subjugation to a corporate governing body.
How do you pronounce "abject"?
Pronounced /ˈæbd͡ʒɛkt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
PIE word *h₂epó The adjective is derived from Late Middle English abiect, abject (adjective) [and other forms], from Middle French abject (modern French abject, abjet (obsolete)), and from its etymon Latin abiectus (“abandoned; cast aside”), an adjective use of the perfect passive participle of abiciō (“to discard, throw away”), from ab- (prefix meaning ‘away from’) + iaciō (“to throw”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *(H)yeh₁- (“to throw”)). The noun is derived from the adjective. Cognates * Italian abiecto (obsolete), abietto * Late Latin abiectus (“humble or poor person”, noun) * Spanish abjecto (obsolete), abyecto
Etymology 2
From Late Middle English abjecten (“to cast out, expel”) [and other forms], from abiect, abject (adjective) (see etymology 1). Sense 3 (“of a fungus: to give off (spores or sporidia)”) is modelled after German abschleudern (“to give off forcefully”).