appall

variants also appal

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

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 appall Still, there is plenty here that should appall both Democrats and Republicans. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025 Dismay or appall you, sure, but never surprise you. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024 That kind of appalls me to think that people need not expect that of themselves. David Marchese Photograph By Mamadi Doumbouya, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2024 What appalls him now is a lack of accountability in Netanyahu’s government. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2024 Kunzig: Alejandra, the weather this year kept finding fresh ways to appall us. Susan Goldberg, National Geographic, 9 Dec. 2021 The whiteness of the fantasy village will appall some — including, presumably, those who protested Gelman’s leadership of The Wing, that women-only co-working operation whose own workforce was notoriously segregated by race. Grace Lavery, Curbed, 20 Apr. 2022 Are there some whose only aim is to appall and disturb? Mark Shanahan, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Dec. 2022 These attacks weren't meant to appall liberals; they were meant to entice conservatives. Grayson Quay, The Week, 21 July 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appall
Verb
  • Every manager, then, wanted a guy on his bench who was there for one reason only: to grab a bat, terrify the closer and obliterate a baseball.
    Jayson Stark, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • Farm laborers, many of whom have lived and worked in their communities for decades, were terrified of being rounded up and deported, separated from their families and livelihoods.
    Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Tatiana slammed the horn and floored the gas pedal, roaring into her backyard.
    Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 25 June 2025
  • The revelation in Sunday’s paper that prosecutors revealed in a court filing that Madigan was worth $40 million absolutely floored me!
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • The woman inside banged pots and pans and screamed at the bear to try to frighten it away, officials said.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
  • Winston Churchill said the U-boat peril was the only thing that really frightened him during World War II.
    Carl Burdette, Baltimore Sun, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • The camper attempted to scare off the bear by banging pots and pans and screaming at the bear.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • The chemistry is real, but Nic scares me for Olandria.
    Julia Moore, People.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Analysts say even a slight disruption on the strait could shock a U.S. economy already preparing for a rise in inflation and force the Fed to hold interest rates throughout the end of the year.
    Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 24 June 2025
  • The news shocked many who know Askren, 40, given his physical fitness and long-term attention to his health.
    Sofia Schwarzwalder, Kansas City Star, 24 June 2025
Verb
  • Flynt often disgusted the masses for offering one of the most graphic, and at times controversial, publications on newsstands.
    Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025
  • We were disgusted by the ambience of this special occasion in our grandchildren’s lives.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • The attack has shaken and horrified the Jewish community in Boulder, Megan Verlee of member station Colorado Public Radio says.
    Brittney Melton, NPR, 2 June 2025
  • In 1923, horrified by news from Italy, Holdsworth founded the National Union for Combating Fascism.
    David Renton May 12, Literary Hub, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • That outcome would be one that offends genuine common sense.
    Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 20 June 2025
  • Still, the project might offend fans, especially since the affected films feature beloved martial arts performed by legendary actors, along with practical, old school stunts.
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Appall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appall. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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