Synonyms of appall

appall

verb

ə-ˈpȯl 

variants also appal

as in to terrify

to cause an unpleasant surprise for

conditions inside the house overrun with cats simply appalled animal control officers

Synonyms & Similar Words

• terrify
• floor
• frighten
• scare
• shock
• disgust
• horrify
• offend
• panic
• amaze
• outrage
• astonish
• displease
• terrorize
• distress
• repel
• alarm
• shake up
• overwhelm
• jolt
• sicken
• disturb
• stupefy
• flabbergast
• stun
• dumbfound
• unman
• dismay
• startle
• nauseate
• astound
• fright
• affright
• spook
• unsettle
• daunt
• scandalize
• revolt
• scarify
• awe
• unnerve
• dumfound
• disconcert
• shake
• discomfort
• dispirit
• freak (out)
• upset
• alarum
• perturb
• knock for a loop
• disquiet
• undo
• emasculate
• chill
• demoralize
• discompose
• bowl over
• overpower
• unstring
• turn off
• weird out
• crush

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• delight
• please
• rejoice
• gratify
• buffer
• tempt
• cushion
• assure
• charm
• entice
• tickle
• cheer
• comfort
• soothe
• reassure
• console
• solace

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb appall contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of appall are daunt, dismay, and horrify. While all these words mean "to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion," appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks.

I am appalled by your behavior

When can daunt be used instead of appall?

The meanings of daunt and appall largely overlap; however, daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage.

a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

When is it sensible to use dismay instead of appall?

The words dismay and appall can be used in similar contexts, but dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something.

dismayed at the size of the job

In what contexts can horrify take the place of appall?

In some situations, the words horrify and appall are roughly equivalent. However, horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion.

was horrified by such wanton cruelty

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of appall

How shocked and appalled and offended everyone seems to be by this. —Nick Suss, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Oct. 2025

After going public together on social media, the pair have elicited strong reactions from people in their comments — some appalled by their age gap and others who quickly jump to their defense. —Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025

Hollywood leaders were astonished; free speech groups were appalled; and the episode triggered a multi-day news cycle about free speech and corporate capitulation to political pressure. —Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025

Many of the people who commented on the amendment said they were appalled by O’Hare’s cuts to the Democrats’ budgets. —Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025

Leaders in northern Germany are appalled after a shop owner posted an antisemitic sign banning Jewish people in a store window. —Carlo Angerer, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2025

Yet her book, first published as Sursis pour l’Orchestre, translated as The Musicians of Auschwitz, was a novelized and sensational account which appalled almost all the other members of the ragtag band. —Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2025

Governance scolds are appalled by the number, as is the pope. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2025

Kennedy holds views that clash sharply with the president’s legal reform agenda and should appall anyone who supports the president’s goal of reforming America’s legal system. —Tiger Joyce, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025