appalling

adjective ap·pall·ing

Definition of appalling

:inspiring horror, dismay, or disgust

living under appalling conditions

appalling savagery

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appallingly

adverb

See appalling defined for English-language learners

See appalling defined for kids

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 of appalling from the Web

Granting a pardon to Joe Arpaio is shameful and appalling.

— derek lawrence, EW.com, "Celebs rip 'racist' and 'cowardly' Trump for pardoning former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio," 26 Aug. 2017
The United Nations body on Tuesday expressed extreme concern about the appalling increase in the cruel and calculated use of children, especially girls, for terrorism in northeast Nigeria.

— waseem abbasi, USA TODAY, "In Nigeria, militants use dozens of children as human bombs," 26 Aug. 2017
That's exactly what students on a Denver cheerleading team are doing after members of the team were submitted to appalling and painful exercises.

— marissa miller, Teen Vogue, "Colorado High School Cheerleading Coach Under Police Investigation for Forcing Splits," 24 Aug. 2017
The good news from a CBS News poll released today is that the president’s appalling response to the domestic terrorist attack in Charlottesville is deeply unpopular with the American public as a whole.

— jeet heer, New Republic, "Everyone is horrified by Trump’s response to Charlottesville, except the Republican base.," 18 Aug. 2017
This is a book of astonishing personal stories and appalling documentation of violence, looting and destruction.

— mary ann gwinn / lit life columnist, The Seattle Times, "3 new history books, perfect for hard times," 20 July 2017
Foa said the executions would constitute an appalling breach of international law.

— david jesse, Detroit Free Press, "Student facing beheading in Saudi Arabia was to attend Western Michigan," 16 July 2017
This is because of the appalling readiness many people now have to assume that others will help bear their expenses — in other words, to go around begging as a first, rather than a last, resort.

— miss manners, star-telegram, "Misplaced GoFundMe generosity isn’t good for anybody," 15 July 2017
In Chicago, the statistics are appalling and undeniable.

— ron grossman, chicagotribune.com, "Want to control theater critics? Be careful what you wish for," 22 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of appalling

see appall

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First Known Use: 1635

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appalling Synonyms

Synonyms

abhorrent, abominable, offensive, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul, fulsome, gross, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, noxious, obnoxious, obscene, odious, rancid, repellent (also repellant), repugnant, repulsive, revolting, scandalous, shocking, sickening, ugly

Antonyms

innocuous, inoffensive

Near Antonyms

acceptable, agreeable, alluring, appealing, attractive, blessed (also blest), congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, desirable, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, gratifying, heavenly, inviting, likable (or likeable), luscious, nice, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, satisfying, savory (also savoury), sweet, welcome; unexceptionable, unobjectionable; healthful, healthy, restorative, salubrious, salutary, wholesome

APPALLING Defined for English Language Learners

appalling

adjective

Definition of appalling for English Language Learners

: very bad in a way that causes fear, shock, or disgust

APPALLING Defined for Kids

appalling

adjective ap·pall·ing

Definition of appalling for Students

:being shocking and terrible

He suffered appalling injuries.

Learn More about appalling

See words that rhyme with appalling Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for appalling Nglish: Translation of appalling for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of appalling for Arabic speakers

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appalling

Definition of appalling

appallingly

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Examples of appalling in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of appalling

appalling Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

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Near Antonyms

APPALLING Defined for English Language Learners

appalling

Definition of appalling for English Language Learners

APPALLING Defined for Kids

appalling

Definition of appalling for Students

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