aghast

[uh-gast, uh-gahst]

adjective

1. struck with overwhelming shock or amazement; filled with sudden fright or horror.

   They stood aghast at the sight of the plane crashing.

aghast

/ əˈɡɑːst /

adjective

1. (postpositive) overcome with amazement or horror

Word History and Origins

Origin of aghast¹

1225–75; Middle English agast frightened, past participle of agasten, equivalent to a- a- ³ + gasten, Old English gǣstan to frighten, earlier *gāstjan < Germanic causative *gaistjan; ghost

Word History and Origins

Origin of aghast¹

C13: agast, from Old English gæstan to frighten. The spelling with gh is on the model of _ghastly

Example Sentences

That document was roundly eviscerated by hordes of scientists who were aghast at the distortions and misinterpretations by Kennedy.

From Los Angeles Times

“The citizens in those cities would be up in arms. They would be aghast that there are soldiers patrolling their streets.”

From Los Angeles Times

Purists who believe forfeiting is never acceptable were aghast.

From Los Angeles Times

Kennedy’s words left much of the autism community aghast.

From Los Angeles Times

In the days that followed, Rhian was aghast that the only bereavement support they had been offered was a leaflet with a list of phone numbers.

From BBC

Related Words

• agog 
• amazed 
• anxious 
• appalled 
• awestruck 
• dismayed 
• shocked www.thesaurus.com
• stunned