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

Though initially aghast at his new owners’ plans to automate factory production, Man-su forgets all about the value of his fellow workers, killing them for the mere chance to regain his corporate footing.

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The inquiry heard she had then spoken to the chief executive of PHE, who was "aghast" that this might be the case and described a set of guidelines which provided a framework for schools reopening.

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"There are plenty of examples where people have been given that feedback and they've been aghast. They've had no idea about the impact their behaviour has had on other people," says Suzy.

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

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

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Related Words

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