appalling

adjective

ap·​pall·​ing ə-ˈpȯ-liŋ How to pronounce appalling (audio)
: inspiring horror, dismay, or disgust
living under appalling conditions
appalling savagery
appallingly adverb

Examples of appalling in a Sentence

We drove by an appalling accident on the highway. opening your mouth to show me your half-chewed food is absolutely appalling
Recent Examples on the Web To hear calls for the systematic segregation and firing of anyone who deems genocide appalling is shocking. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2024 In Florida, the adult booster rate is an appalling 7.7%. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Some absolutely atrocious antisemitism at the Matthews Town Council public forum tonight - appalling to see some Councilmembers just sit in silence, along with candidates in the audience. Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 27 Feb. 2024 Perhaps this week’s decision to relax the rules on fighting measles will mark just one more step along that path: Once again, Florida’s surgeon general will have taken an appalling stance that ends up having no effect. Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 2024 Manzo reprimanded Glanville, saying that her comments were appalling and put American women in a bad light. Kate Aurthur, Variety, 26 Jan. 2024 Her omission in best actress is even more appalling given that her co-stars Ryan Gosling and America Ferrera were each acknowledged in supporting categories. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2024 Its rate fell again this year, by an appalling 0.6 percentage points to 4.5%, the 12th worst in the nation. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2023 By Angela Haupt February 12, 2024 11:08 AM EST Since premiering on Netflix four years ago, Love Is Blind has produced eight marriages, two soon-to-be babies, a couple of divorces, too many messy breakups to tally, and dozens of hours of entertaining—occasionally appalling—reality television. TIME, 12 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'appalling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of appall

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of appalling was in 1635

Dictionary Entries Near appalling

Cite this Entry

“Appalling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appalling. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

appalling

adjective
ap·​pall·​ing
ə-ˈpȯl-iŋ
: inspiring horror or dismay : shocking
appallingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on appalling

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