Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In an utterly hopeless, miserable, or degraded manner: "abjectly" describes an action done with complete lack of pride, dignity, or hope, often involving submission or extreme humiliation.
   • To an extreme degree; utterly: It can also intensify an adjective, meaning completely or utterly, especially when describing negative states like poverty or fear.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • The defeated general abjectly surrendered his sword. (He surrendered in a completely humiliated and hopeless manner.)
  • They lived abjectly in a shack with no running water. (They lived in a state of utter misery and degradation.)
  • He was abjectly terrified of the consequences. (He was utterly and completely terrified.)

Advanced Usage

• "abjectly poor": utterly impoverished, in a state of complete destitution.
  • The documentary showed families who were abjectly poor.
• "to apologize abjectly": to apologize in an extremely humble and self-effacing way, often groveling.
  • After his mistake was exposed, he abjectly apologized to the entire team.

Variants and Related Words

• Abject (adjective): utterly hopeless, miserable, humiliating, or contemptible.
  • They lived in abject poverty.
• Abjectness (noun): the state or quality of being abject.

Synonyms

• Miserably: in a wretchedly unhappy or pitiable manner.
• Dejectedly: in a sad and depressed way.
• Resignedly: in a submissive way, accepting something unpleasant.
• Utterly: completely and absolutely (used for intensification).

Antonyms

• Proudly: with a sense of pride and dignity.
• Defiantly: in a manner that shows open resistance or bold disobedience.

Related Phrases

• To surrender abjectly: to give up in a manner that shows total defeat and humiliation.
  • The regime's forces surrendered abjectly after the siege.
• To obey abjectly: to follow orders with complete and unquestioning submission.
  • The servant abjectly obeyed every command.

Adverb

1. in a hopeless resigned manner
   • she shrugged her shoulders abjectly