abject

What does “abject” mean?

adjective.extremely unpleasant and humiliating; (of a person) completely without pride.

SAT Usage

This term often appears in contexts related to poverty, despair, or moral degradation, emphasizing a state of extreme suffering and a lack of dignity. It suggests a deeper level of degradation than synonyms like "miserable" or "wretched," as it conveys not only unpleasantness but also a profound sense of hopelessness and loss of self-respect.

Common Confusions

Abject implies a state of extreme humiliation and despair, while miserable usually suggests a general feeling of unhappiness or discomfort without the same depth of degradation or loss of dignity.

Example Sentences

• He lived in abject poverty with nothing to his name.

Word Parts: How to Remember “abject”

Break “abject” into its parts: ab- (away from, off). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: ab- away from, off (Latin)