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aghast

adjective

ə-ˈgast How to pronounce aghast (audio)
Definition of aghastnext
as in terrified
filled with fear or dread I stood there, aghast, as the vile monster made its way toward me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of aghast Still, individuals Variety spoke with at competing studios — especially in business affairs, the less glamorous but vital department that closes contracts — were aghast. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 12 Aug. 2026 Columns of black smoke rise from targets, often filmed by aghast Russians. — Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 28 July 2026 The crowd was a rainbow mixture of colors, age groups and languages, all chatting and laughing with one another while standing above a granite rendering of Confederate leaders who would have been aghast at what their monument had become. — John Blake, CNN Money, 19 July 2026 Classical studies majors will surely be aghast at how the likes of Zeus and Poseidon are sublimated into social mores and choppy waves (just as Zendaya fans might rage at how her disapproving Athena only cameos as Odysseus’ invisible friend). — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 15 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for aghast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aghast
  1. terrified
  2. frightened
  3. afraid
  4. horrified
  5. scared
  6. shocked
  7. alarmed
Adjective
  • That hasn’t changed; people are still terrified of me in one way or another.
    — Tiana DeNicola, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Nora was feeling less terrified of her former partner and increasingly hopeful that his abuse was in the past.
    — Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of terrified
Adjective
  • Nations are sustained not just by declarations and famous generals, but by less celebrated moments when frightened, exhausted people decide not to give up.
    — Harry Ostrer, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Also at top of mind was the film’s sound design, which is deliberately used as another tool to make the audience feel frightened and uncomfortable.
    — William Earl, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • Some school teachers aren't afraid to reference the meme in class.
    — Owen Carry, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026
  • In this age of unremitting test screenings and CinemaScore, downer endings typically score lower, so Abrams appreciates that Cregger and Sony weren’t afraid to figuratively twist the knife in the audience.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • Greg O'Neill, 63, was swimming at Sorrento Beach in the northern suburbs of Perth in Western Australia on Friday when the attack happened in front of horrified beachgoers.
    — Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Their Bell helicopters collided midair, sending flaming wreckage above the heads of horrified drivers on the Pasadena Freeway.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of horrified
Adjective
  • One dog, Bruce, whose neck was slashed by his owner, spent seven months at the shelter as investigators sought charges, trembling in his kennel and looking scared, according to visitors.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Was that an intentional move to make the Traitors scared to pick her?
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • My conversations and research left me much less shocked at that statistic that had sent chills down my spine a few weeks prior.
    — Luba Kassova, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026
  • There’ll still be conversations surrounding the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, and most of us anticipate a lot of shocked reactions from those learning when our birthdays and wedding anniversaries take place.
    — Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of shocked
Adjective
  • Going deeper Fortune's Eleanor Pringle reports that debt hawks are increasingly alarmed as the 10-year Treasury yield approaches 5%, warning the move could signal a brewing national debt spiral.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 15 Sep. 2026
  • This week’s soaring temperatures alarmed students and parents of the Torrance Unified School District, where some campuses do not have air conditioning.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of alarmed

Browse Nearby Words

aggros
aghast
agile
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Cite this Entry

“Aghast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aghast. Accessed 27 Sep. 2026.

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