abject
/ˈæb.d͡ʒɛkt/
Group 21Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Extremely bad, unpleasant, or degrading; completely without pride or dignity GRE
Example in Context
The refugees lived in abject poverty, lacking access to clean water, sanitation, or any form of medical care.
Synonyms
miserablewretchedpitiful
Etymology
Thrown away from dignity, representing the lowest state of being.
- ab- (Latin) — away from
- jacere (Latin) — to throw
Memory Aid
😢Sounds like “aject”
Imagine someone getting ejected from a party for being so ABJECT that even the trash refuses to associate!
Visual Association
💩A person sitting in a dumpster looking utterly defeated, surrounded by garbage — the epitome of abject misery.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “abject” mean on the GRE?
abject (adjective) means “Extremely bad, unpleasant, or degrading; completely without pride or dignity”. The refugees lived in abject poverty, lacking access to clean water, sanitation, or any form of medical care.
How to remember “abject” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “abject” sounds like “aject”. Imagine someone getting ejected from a party for being so ABJECT that even the trash refuses to associate!
What are synonyms for “abject”?
Common synonyms: miserable, wretched, pitiful.