appalling

[uh-paw-ling]

adjective

1. causing dismay or horror.

   an appalling accident; an appalling lack of manners.

appalling

/ əˈpɔːlɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing extreme dismay, horror, or revulsion

2. very bad

Other Word Forms

• appallingly adverb
• unappalling adjective
• unappallingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of appalling¹

First recorded in 1810–20; appall + -ing ²

Example Sentences

“The appalling incident on a train near Huntingdon is deeply concerning,” U.K.

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Ms Zinovkina, who insisted the drugs were planted on her, described the sanitary conditions as "appalling" and "horrific".

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However, Natasha criticised the report as "appalling," adding it focused more on protecting the hospital's reputation than answering questions or holding anyone accountable.

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"Students coming from Gaza to the UK have suffered an appalling ordeal after two years of conflict," the government spokesperson said.

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Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called the deaths "appalling" and called on Israel to comply with international humanitarian law.

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Related Words

• alarming 
• astounding 
• awful 
• dire 
• disheartening 
• dreadful 
• frightening www.thesaurus.com
• frightful 
• ghastly 
• harrowing 
• hideous 
• horrible 
• horrific 
• shocking 
• terrible 
• terrifying