appall

American

[uh-pawl] / əˈpɔl /

especially British, appal

verb (used with object)

to fill or overcome with horror, consternation, or fear; dismay.

He was appalled by the damage from the fire. I am appalled at your mistakes.

Synonyms:

daunt, horrify

Related Words

See frighten.

Etymology

Origin of appall

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Middle French ap(p)allir “to grow or make pale,” equivalent to a- a- ⁵ + pal(l)ir in same sense; pale ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Yet he also seemed appalled at the idea of a wholesale emptying of communities, and particularly the strategy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Whether you have sympathy for him, think his behaviour is appalling, or something in between, there's clearly a poisonous row raging over what he did.

From BBC

Describing the experience as "appalling" she said her mother did not want to be there.

From BBC

"You come to Fermanagh and your access is just appalling," she added.

From BBC

UK Athletics' chief executive Jack Buckner said he was "appalled" when it was revealed Prescod had signed up earlier in January.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023