appalling

adjective

ap·​pall·​ing ə-ˈpȯ-liŋ How to pronounce appalling (audio)
Synonyms of appallingnext
: 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
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.
Thankfully, there was no such incident on Monday, but there was ample cringeworthy stuff to be found in the appalling stat sheet after Illinois’ third straight win in the series. Kansas City Star, 23 Dec. 2025 The author lets the reader explore a virtually unknown local culture as well as the violent and appalling impacts that a larger, Westernized culture can have on a more isolated one. The Know, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025 As of 2020, a quarter of the system’s stations had been brought into compliance, which is both impressive and appalling. Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 15 Dec. 2025 And though the most appalling moments from such shows tend to go the most viral, the shows themselves are not uniformly reprehensible. Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for appalling

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

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Cite this Entry

“Appalling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appalling. Accessed 27 Dec. 2025.

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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