Definition of appall
appalled
;appalling
transitive verb
: to overcome with consternation, shock, or dismay We were appalled by his behavior.
intransitive verb
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Examples of appall in a sentence
The thought of war appalls me.
It appalls me to think of the way those children have been treated.
Origin and Etymology of appall
Middle English, from Middle French apalir, from Old French, from a- (from Latin ad-) + palir to grow pale, from Latin pallescere, inchoative of pallēre to be pale — more at fallow
First Known Use: 14th century
Synonym Discussion of appall
APPALL Defined for English Language Learners
appall
playDefinition of appall for English Language Learners
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: to cause (someone) to feel fear, shock, or disgust
APPALL Defined for Kids
appall
playDefinition of appall for Students
appalled
;appalling
: to cause to feel shock, horror, or disgust She was appalled by their foul language.
Learn More about appall
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See words that rhyme with appall Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for appall Spanish Central: Translation of appall Nglish: Translation of appall for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of appall for Arabic speakers
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