appall

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verb ap·pall \ə-ˈpȯl\

variants: or less commonly

appal

Definition of appall

appalled

;

appalling

transitive verb
: to overcome with consternation, shock, or dismay We were appalled by his behavior.
intransitive verb
obsolete : weaken, fail

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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.

Recent Examples of appall from the Web

The terrorists’ ability to appall us diminishes as their assaults become sadly routine.

— froma harrop, The Denver Post, "When we focus on the victims, we reward the terrorists," 25 May 2017
Meanwhile, the strategy appalls many experts who say that using economic leverage to prod China on security matters will send a broader signal to allies that U.S. foreign policy may be for sale.

— chicagotribune.com, "Shunning rulebook, Trump pursues 'art of the deal' with China," 1 May 2017
Some of that spending could shift to Facebook, Mahaney said, although the social network is facing its own challenges trying to block live videos of violence that appall viewers and advertisers alike.

— michael liedtke, The Seattle Times, "YouTube ad boycott could spell trouble for Alphabet’s Google," 27 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'appall.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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Synonym Discussion of appall

dismay, appall, horrify, daunt mean to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion. dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something. dismayed at the size of the job appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks. I am appalled by your behavior horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion. was horrified by such wanton cruelty daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage. a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber