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 Besides China another, albeit smaller — though still impactful — negative phenomenon was the recent summer season, which was appalling due to poor weather. Jennifer Weil, WWD, 22 Oct. 2024 Murphy shapes his horrible narrative through vile and appalling character portrayals of Lyle and of me and disheartening slander. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 20 Oct. 2024 One or two people in Netanyahu’s cabinet have said the most appalling things. Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024 This adds another turn of the screw to the problem of appalling opinions. Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for appalling 

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 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

appalling

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

More from Merriam-Webster on appalling

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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