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

She called the second state visit invite "appalling", adding: "It's all about the trade deal."

From BBC

The offensive has drawn widespread international condemnation, with UN human rights chief Volker Türk describing it as "totally and utterly unacceptable" and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper calling it "utterly reckless and appalling".

From BBC

He added that the scandal had exposed the PM's "appalling judgement".

From BBC

"While we do not cast aspersions upon individuals, given the nature of Jeffrey Epstein's appalling crimes, we believe the university's leadership should, as a precautionary measure, be suspending its links with known associates of Epstein."

From BBC

Other incidents, which police described as "revolting and appalling", involved liquid being thrown towards a school and over a car.

From BBC

Related Words

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