appalling

1 of 2

adjective

ap·​pall·​ing ə-ˈpȯ-liŋ 

: inspiring horror, dismay, or disgust

living under appalling conditions

appalling savagery

appallingly adverb

appalling

2 of 2

present participle of appall

Synonyms of appalling

Adjective

• disgusting
• awful
• horrible
• sickening
• ugly
• shocking
• hideous
• obnoxious
• obscene
• dreadful
• offensive

Examples of appalling in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

For many, the clear skies and beauty of that early autumn morning served as a tragic contrast to the appalling and terrifying events that would unfold. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

These individuals were held in appalling conditions at the ICE holding facility in Broadview. — Jesus Chuy Garcia, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026

For customers like Murphy, anything is better than that appalling Reuben at his local deli. — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

In a statement after the incident, the University of Georgia called Morgan's actions appalling, and thanked Athens-Clarke County police for quickly arresting him. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from present participle of appall

First Known Use

Adjective

1635, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for appalling

• bremsstrahlung
• enthralling
• forestalling
• installing
• recalling
• balling
• bawling
• brawling
• calling
• colling
• crawling
• drawling

Kids Definition

appalling

adjective

ap·​pall·​ing

ə-ˈpȯl-iŋ

: inspiring horror or dismay : shocking

appallingly adverb