variants
also appal
as in to shock
to cause an unpleasant surprise for
conditions inside the house overrun with cats simply appalled animal control officers
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Recent Examples of appall
But just as those supporters should not be blamed for having mixed feelings, so Spurs staff would be entirely justified in feeling bemused, frustrated and appalled by any suggestion that fans do not want to get a result, just as Postecoglou was two years ago.
—
Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
The unconscionable treatment of maids in Alma’s era finds uncomfortable parallels in the 1980s, when Angelika is both appalled and intrigued by the leering looks of her uncle Uwe (Konstantin Lindhorst).
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Jefferson—the original originalist—would have been appalled at some of our recent Supreme Court decisions.
—The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Aggie is appalled at Nile’s presumptuousness, his entitlement.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
Several member governments were appalled by the strikes, arguing that the United States acted unilaterally, dangerously, and without regard for international norms.
—Oliver Stuenkel, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025
Fox News Digital columnist Hugh Hewitt writes that all Americans should be shocked and appalled at the return of antisemitism.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026
The unconscionable treatment of maids in Alma’s era finds uncomfortable parallels in the 1980s, when Angelika is both appalled and intrigued by the leering looks of her uncle Uwe (Konstantin Lindhorst).
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Jefferson—the original originalist—would have been appalled at some of our recent Supreme Court decisions.
—The Atlantic, 13 Jan. 2026
Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Aggie is appalled at Nile’s presumptuousness, his entitlement.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
Several member governments were appalled by the strikes, arguing that the United States acted unilaterally, dangerously, and without regard for international norms.
—Oliver Stuenkel, Foreign Affairs, 18 Nov. 2025
Fox News Digital columnist Hugh Hewitt writes that all Americans should be shocked and appalled at the return of antisemitism.
—Staff, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appall
Verb
-
And the town, shocked into action, abolished its entire police force.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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Louvre Museum tightens security measures News of the robbery shocked the world and sparked criticism over the museum's inadequate security and crumbling infrastructure.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The rest of the league was horrified by the thought of OKC adding another top prospect to a juggernaut roster.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2026
-
When another colleague and I explained this, our guest was horrified.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The four-time overall World Cup champion stunned everyone by being a contender almost immediately.—
ANDREW DAMPF,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
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The Monégasque team, led by Valentin Vacherot, stunned Bublik and Alexander Shevchenko in a 3-1 win, with Hugo Nys and Romain Arneodo triumphing over Bublik and Beibit Zhukayev in a nail-biting doubles rubber.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The state spent more than $2 million on nonlethal efforts to drive the wolves away from human communities, working day and night over the summer to frighten them with drones, flags, rubber bullets and beanbags, among other methods.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
6 Feb. 2026
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This is no longer about ideology, this is about standing up for those who are being wrongly arrested, being unfairly harassed or being made to feel constantly frightened in their own homes.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Appall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appall. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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