appalled 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of appallednext
as in aghast

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appalled

2 of 2

verb

past tense of appall
as in shocked
to cause an unpleasant surprise for conditions inside the house overrun with cats simply appalled animal control officers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 appalled
Adjective
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 And part of me is a little appalled by that. — Ben Smith, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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 See All Example Sentences for appalled
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appalled
  1. aghast
  2. shocked
  3. horrified
  4. stunned
  5. surprised
  6. dismayed
  7. bewildered
Adjective
  • Each of these scandals generated countless headlines from an aghast press and commentariat class.
    — David Mack, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
  • At first Burgomeister is aghast at such a horrific proposal and rebuffs her offer.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of aghast
Verb
  • The case shocked her community and the fight to convict her killer proved difficult.
    — Madeleine Janz, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Theiss’ wife filed a police complaint alleging that the men were shocked while trying to get out of the pool and drowned, NDTV reported.
    — Jessica Mekles, FOXNews.com, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of shocked
Adjective
  • Gomez, 67, recalled, watching as responding officers pulled a horrified boy from the car.
    — Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of horrified
Verb
  • The dead child’s aunt was stunned to learn that the fire was caused by an e-bike battery.
    — Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The Chicago White Sox stunned the baseball world by announcing the hiring of Tony La Russa — who led the Sox to a division title in 1983 — as their new manager.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of stunned
Adjective
  • So audiences may be surprised about his latest turn, playing a cheerful educator in the Old West with an affinity for the literary classics.
    — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026
  • One teammate who isn’t surprised at all about Martinez’s ironwoman status is Leah Romano.
    — Tony Baranek, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of surprised
Adjective
  • But minutes later, Austria tied the game again, leaving the lobby in dismayed silence.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 June 2026
  • His reflexive suspicion of causes left him more dismayed than energized by the nascent conflict.
    — John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 15 June 2026
Definition of dismayed
Adjective
  • The Heat awoke Tuesday as the NBA’s only 0-4 team and thoroughly bewildered about how a group that fashioned itself a contender could continue to perform so poorly.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Darren Foote, a fellow veteran who helped organize the festivities, told the BBC that Filer was somewhat bewildered by all the attention.
    — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of bewildered

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Cite this Entry

“Appalled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appalled. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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