appal

[uh-pawl]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR appal ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), ap·palled, ap·pal·ling.

appall

or ap·pal

[uh-pawl]

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.

Origin of appall

1275–1325; Middle English < Middle French ap(p)allir to grow or make pale, equivalent to a- a-⁵ + pal(l)ir in same sense; see pale¹

Synonyms for appall

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR appall ON THESAURUS.COM

horrify, daunt. See frighten.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for appalled

dismay, dishearten, intimidate, frighten, alarm, unnerve, astound, amaze, faze, disconcert, outrage, daunt, awe, petrify, terrify, appal, scare, shock, insult, consternate

Examples from the Web for appalled

Contemporary Examples of appalled

Israelis often are amused and appalled by the crazies attracted to the Holy Land, and not only for religious reasons.
The Strange Case of the Christian Zionist Terrorist
Creede Newton
December 14, 2014
But outsiders, generally, are embarrassed or appalled, and so are a growing number of locals.
Dutch Try to Save Santa’s Slave
Nadette De Visser
December 2, 2014
The notion of anarchy so appalled the conservative Reagan, he came out against Briggs, and it was defeated.
Gay Activist David Mixner: I Mercy Killed 8 People
Tim Teeman
October 29, 2014
The world was appalled by his actions and many questioned whether he would ever be able to return to the world of fashion.
Is Designer John Galliano Back for Good?
Justin Jones
October 7, 2014
The current Queen, who urged Scottish voters to “think very carefully” before destroying the United Kingdom, would be appalled.
Voter Intimidation Grips Scotland as It Votes on Independence
Nico Hines
September 18, 2014

Historical Examples of appalled

But while she spoke as if she were shocked and appalled, her eyes belied her words.
The Armourer's Prentices
Charlotte M. Yonge
The girl was appalled by the mercilessness of a destiny that had so outraged right.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
The utter loneliness behind him and ahead of him appalled him in its contrast to this.
Quaint Courtships
Various
The eventuality he had not foreseen had appalled him as a humane man and a fond husband.
The Secret Agent
Joseph Conrad
He was appalled by the black heart that lay bare before him.
Night and Morning, Complete
Edward Bulwer-Lytton

British Dictionary definitions for appalled

appal

US appall

verb -pals, -palling or -palled or US -palls, -palling or -palled

(tr) to fill with horror; shock or dismay

Word Origin for appal

C14: from Old French appalir to turn pale

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for appalled

adj.

1570s, "enfeebled;" c.1600, "dismayed;" past participle adjective from appall.

appall

also appal, early 14c., "to fade;" c.1400, "to grow pale," from Old French apalir "become or make pale," from a- "to" (see ad-) + palir "grow pale," from Latin pallere (see pallor). Meaning "cause dismay or shock," is 1530s. Related: Appalled; appalling.