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
  • Even after the attacker was restrained, passengers remained terrified.
    — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • This kind of conversation always leaves me half-amused, half-terrified.
    — Alicja Turczyk, The Dial, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of terrified
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, some of the frightened and wary passengers wondered about them and whether they could be trusted.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • He’s supposed to be embarrassed by me, not frightened for me.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • Despite not registering a goal or an assist in just over an hour on the pitch, the youngster was never afraid to receive the ball and try to make something happen.
    — Ben Church, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2026
  • As in the past, the show’s creators are seemingly not afraid to bite the hand that feeds them.
    — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 29 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
  • But others remain scared about losing coverage, including Heather Reel, who attended a rally at the state capitol in July to push back against Montana's early rollout.
    — Aaron Bolton, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Cooper, for his part, acts all scared when Kat mentions visiting him and Gen in Fort Lauderdale.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 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
  • Katlar Parchman, 19, appeared shocked to be in the defendant's chair on Saturday.
    — Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of shocked
Adjective
  • Annual interest expenses will be well over $6 billion, a level that has alarmed deal critics.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Americans are increasingly alarmed about the security and sanctity of voting, and growing fears about intimidation efforts at polling places in the midterm elections.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 25 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 4 Oct. 2026.

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