variants
also appal
as in to terrify
to cause an unpleasant surprise for
conditions inside the house overrun with cats simply appalled animal control officers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of appall
Kennedy holds views that clash sharply with the president’s legal reform agenda and should appall anyone who supports the president’s goal of reforming America’s legal system.
—
Tiger Joyce, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Leo’s appalled; Geno looks forward to eating.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
Trump’s victories against the bureaucracy have appalled many Democrats, though none have much of a theory on how to put Humpty Dumpty back together.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Bob the Drag Queen tells EW he was appalled by the way ANTM stars treated Isis King on cycle 11.
—EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Unsurprisingly, their posts sparked strong reactions from commenters — some of whom were appalled by the gap in their ages, and others who came to Stomatuk and Justin’s defense.
—Luke Chinman, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Sotheby’s specialists were appalled by the new fees.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
The Facebook post quickly became a battleground between commenters who were appalled at the concept of euthanizing healthy pets for animal feed, and those who applauded the zoo for its method of maintaining a practical food supply for its animals.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 6 Aug. 2025
Enid is appalled at this brutal treatment of Thing and crowns him an honorary wolf-pack member.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
Tiger Joyce, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Leo’s appalled; Geno looks forward to eating.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 7 Sep. 2025
Trump’s victories against the bureaucracy have appalled many Democrats, though none have much of a theory on how to put Humpty Dumpty back together.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Bob the Drag Queen tells EW he was appalled by the way ANTM stars treated Isis King on cycle 11.
—EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
Unsurprisingly, their posts sparked strong reactions from commenters — some of whom were appalled by the gap in their ages, and others who came to Stomatuk and Justin’s defense.
—Luke Chinman, People.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Sotheby’s specialists were appalled by the new fees.
—Sam Knight, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
The Facebook post quickly became a battleground between commenters who were appalled at the concept of euthanizing healthy pets for animal feed, and those who applauded the zoo for its method of maintaining a practical food supply for its animals.
—Alana Wise, NPR, 6 Aug. 2025
Enid is appalled at this brutal treatment of Thing and crowns him an honorary wolf-pack member.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appall
Verb
-
In that episode, the college football fans are terrified to find themselves in Pro Town, a place where people go to yoga on Saturdays.—
Kristi Dosh,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
Murillo recalled a Cuban grandmother whose grandchildren were terrified to go to school after their father was detained in front of them at their own home by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Cece Kilroy floored 14 kills, while Cece Mullen served four aces as King Philip (3-3) defeated Foxboro 3-0 in a Hockomock League match.—
Brendan Connelly,
Boston Herald,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Once the structural shell is complete, traditional crews step in to add the roof, wiring, windows, flooring and finishing touches.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Judy Hernandez’ husband Raul, a co-founder of the community group the Resurrection Project, dismissed those plans as a political stunt geared to create fear and frighten Spanish-speaking people.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Many of us are conditioned to think that our ultimate goal in life is to be with someone, so much so, that the mere thought of being alone frightens us.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Just enough time to snap some selfies and scare your housemates.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Their offense, outside their all-world quarterback, doesn’t scare anybody, not without Rashee Rice (suspension) and Xavier Worthy (injury), and with Travis Kelce in Year 13.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
These shocks land heavily on Hispanics, who are overrepresented in construction, service, and blue-collar work sensitive to inflation and policy disruptions.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The charges come five days after 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was taken into custody in connection with the grisly killing that shocked the nation and stoked fears of more political violence.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Locals were disgusted with city leadership’s inept handling of the crisis.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
The woman was disgusted by the comments and left the room, according to the outlets, citing the records.—
Liam Quinn,
People.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
He was horrified by the idea of making anyone feel bad.—
Adrienne LaFrance,
The Atlantic,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Television cameras captured the ensuing violence, horrifying much of the nation.—
Time,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
When arthritis pain flares up, the area around the offending joint becomes inflamed and slightly acidic.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Unlike the common perception that assault requires hitting or causing injury, the law says even an act meant only to offend, like spitting, can be enough to trigger a charge.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Appall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appall. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share