appalled
Americanadjective
verb
Etymology
Origin of appalled
Explanation
Appalled is an adjective that describes feeling shocked and disappointed. Being appalled happens suddenly, like when you find out your little sister has been blogging about your family, telling embarrassing stories. Appalled comes from the Latin word pallescere, meaning "to grow pale" — the kind of shock that drains the color from your face. When you are appalled, you don't just disapprove of what you are seeing; you are emotionally disturbed by it, like being appalled by the wasted food at a cafeteria or restaurant or the rudeness of someone who lets the door slam in your face.
Vocabulary lists containing appalled
Grade 9, List 1
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"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 8–13
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The Westing Game
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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.
UK Athletics' chief executive Jack Buckner said he was "appalled" when it was revealed former Great Britain sprinter Reece Prescod had signed up in January.
From BBC • May 23, 2026
An industry colleague recently admitted that while she was appalled by Ms. Owens’s fanciful claims, she kept tuning in for the next installment of “crazy.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026
Its chief executive Agnes Lunny said her staff were "appalled" at how the reviews were being conducted "over a Zoom call".
From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026
In an X post, the Union of Journalists in Israel said it was "appalled" by the police conduct and urged the police commissioner to "immediately suspend the officers involved".
From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026
It came to a rest by the group of gentlemen nearby who were watching us with appalled expressions.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
