appall

American  

[uh-pawl] / əˈpɔl /

especially British, appal

verb (used with object)

1. 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

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Synonym Usage

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; see pale ¹

Explanation

That tattoo on your lower back is likely to appall your mother. Just like her pink hair once appalled your grandmother. To appall is to shock and disgust. Appall comes from an Old French word meaning "to make pale." If a gory scene in a movie appalls you, you're likely to turn pale. The word appall always carries with it the feeling of disgust. You might be shocked by a loud noise, but in order for it to appall you, it would probably have to come along with a really foul smell or a gruesome scene.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

appall

The general reaction to “MASS” was that of appall, no matter whether you worshipped Bernstein or couldn’t bear him, whatever your political or cultural orientation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2025

It, too, is about a sheltered, childlike woman whose quest for knowledge forces her to venture out into the real world, where the complicated politics of gender both appall and fascinate her.

From New York Times ● Sep. 1, 2023

The blasts shoo the ravenous harbor seals off for a moment, and thrill — or appall — the tourists.

From Seattle Times ● Jul. 2, 2022

The second is that police departments run with just like—it would appall you—legacy information technology equipment.

From Slate ● Jul. 11, 2020

“Mr. Slopes compliments appall me, ’’said Signora Neroni. arctic.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner