abject

IPA/ˈæbdʒekt/
KK[ˈæbdʒɛkt]IPA/ˈæbdʒekt/

abject — adjective

  • abjectpositive
  • more abjectcomparative
  • most abjectsuperlative

1. extremely bad, painful, or hopeless, with almost no dignity or hope left

1.形容詞C2
釋義

extremely bad, painful, or hopeless, with almost no dignity or hope left

例句

When the mine shut, whole streets fell into abject poverty within months.

collocation: fall into abject poverty

Tomas felt abject terror when the boat lights vanished in the fog.

collocation: abject terror

同義詞
  • miserable

    more common and often centered on unhappiness rather than total degradation

  • wretched

    strong and often colored by pity or disgust

  • hopeless

    focuses on no chance of improvement, not always on shame or misery

反義詞
  • hopeful

    showing some chance or expectation of improvement

  • secure

    free from the severe hardship or danger that abject suggests

文法句型

abject + poverty/misery/failure/terror

live in abject poverty

end in abject failure

用法筆記

Often used before nouns such as poverty, misery, failure, or terror to stress an extreme state that feels stripped of hope or dignity. Distinguish from adjective/2, which focuses on a person's humiliating submission rather than the bad condition itself.

常見錯誤

❌I felt abject because my bus was late.
✅I felt upset because my bus was late.
💡abject is much stronger and usually describes extreme misery, fear, or failure.
❌The kitchen looked abject after dinner.
✅The kitchen looked messy after dinner.
💡abject is for severe conditions or emotions, not ordinary untidiness.

2. showing that someone has given up pride and is submitting in a humiliating way

2.形容詞C2
釋義

showing that someone has given up pride and is submitting in a humiliating way

例句

At the hearing, the thief offered an abject apology to the shop owner.

collocation: abject apology

Hari became abject and begged the landlord not to lock the door.

pattern: become abject

同義詞
  • servile

    stresses eagerness to obey in a way that feels undignified

  • submissive

    broader and less strongly humiliating than abject

  • cringing

    emphasizes fearful, self-lowering behavior in front of power

反義詞
  • proud

    keeping self-respect instead of lowering yourself

  • defiant

    refusing to submit even under pressure

文法句型

become/look abject

abject + apology/obedience/manner

用法筆記

Usually used for a person's manner, apology, or obedience when they seem crushed and without self-respect. Distinguish from adjective/1, which intensifies misery or failure without centering on submission to someone else.

常見錯誤

❌The new intern sounded abject because she spoke softly.
✅The new intern sounded shy because she spoke softly.
💡abject suggests humiliating self-submission, not simple quietness.
❌He gave an abject answer in class.
✅He gave a hesitant answer in class.
💡abject usually describes a manner, apology, or obedience, not just any weak reply.