Synonyms of appall

appall

verb

ə-ˈpȯl 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

As a graduate student and young mother in Israel, she had been appalled that her kids were being taught creationism in public school. — Daniel Brook, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026

The neighbors, who had till then lived in a conventional suburban setting — two-story colonials, wide lawns — were appalled. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 21 Oct. 2026

Rather than being appalled, Meisner was impressed, and McQueen became a serial student, studying with Uta Hagen and Lee Strasberg and building his resume in summer stock and television. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

He was especially encouraged by conversations with current Cornell students, who said the campus needs more people who are appalled by the current news. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

Lawmakers were appalled at the US seemingly dropping the ball on coming to Ukraine’s aid. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 15 Oct. 2026

Once inside the industry, Roper was appalled by how airlines set prices. — Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

The tennis world was appalled by Atmane’s behavior, with some fans taking to social media to call for him to be banned from the sport. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

My family visited Paris in the summer of 2019, and although we were infatuated by the city’s beauty, we were appalled at how immigrants were allowed to fester on the streets and harass tourists like us. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026