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

Ms. Ypi, aghast at the “caricature” of her grandmother that was “emerging here,” resolved to get to the truth about Leman.

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Robin is aghast when she learns he’s booked a hotel room on Canal Street for $80 a night.

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Social media companies were aghast at the announcement of the ban in November 2024.

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Many Americans, particularly those in the political center, are aghast at the self-inflicted wounds this country is now suffering.

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Veterans of Ashes tours past are aghast, though critics have perhaps not been paying enough attention to England's away trips under Stokes and Brendon McCullum.

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Related Words

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