appalled

adjective

ap·​palled ə-ˈpȯld 

: affected by strong feelings of shock and dismay

… the Allied commanders were appalled to learn that 300 glider troops had drowned at sea.

—Kathleen McAuliffe

I was amazed, impressed, appalled, touched, embarrassed. Most of all, I was mad as hell.

—Ken Kesey

Straightway, he now goes on to make a full confession; whereupon the mariners became more and more appalled …

—Herman Melville

Examples of appalled in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of Whipple’s main sources is Biden’s former chief of staff Ron Klain, who often comes across in the book as an appalled observer. —Fintan O’Toole, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025

Some clients, new and existing, may be steering business its way in appalled solidarity. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2025

Scientific and medical researchers are appalled that their work was drawn into the debate to begin with. —Philip Marcelo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025

Some libertarians are among his biggest cheerleaders, others are appalled and the rest of us are calling balls and strikes. —Steven Greenhut, Orange County Register, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of appall

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for appalled

• overhauled
• reinstalled
• auld
• bald
• balled
• bawled
• called
• crawled
• drawled
• galled
• hauled
• lolled