abysm
n.n. a very deep and dark hole or a place that is so bad it feels like a bottomless pit. You use it to describe a situation that is extremely difficult or dangerous.
n. a deep, dark chasm or a state of extreme despair, danger, or degradation. Often used figuratively to describe a vast gap between two concepts or a situation that is hopelessly bad.
The two groups were separated by an abysm of misunderstanding.
The hikers stared into the abysm of the canyon, realizing they had lost their way.
The gap between the wealthy elite and the working class has widened into an abysm, creating social tensions that previous generations failed to resolve.
From Middle English abime, from Old French abisme from Late Latin *abyssimus, a superlative of abyssus (“bottomless pit”), from Ancient Greek ἄβυσσος (ábussos). Cognate to French abîme. See also abyss.