Synonyms of appalling

appalling 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈpȯ-liŋ 

1

as in disgusting

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment

opening your mouth to show me your half-chewed food is absolutely appalling

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disgusting
• awful
• horrible
• sickening
• ugly
• shocking
• hideous
• obnoxious
• obscene
• dreadful
• offensive
• nasty
• unpleasant
• abominable
• horrid
• evil
• abhorrent
• revolting
• terrible
• horrendous
• gross
• horrific
• loathsome
• repulsive
• odious
• repugnant
• gruesome
• scandalous
• distasteful
• nauseating
• noxious
• repellent
• disturbing
• undesirable
• nauseous
• foul
• rancid
• vile
• fulsome
• noisome
• horrifying
• monstrous
• hateful
• objectionable
• unwanted
• miserable
• disagreeable
• detestable
• despicable
• grim
• contemptible
• atrocious
• heinous
• unspeakable
• ghastly
• unhealthy
• execrable
• nightmarish
• grisly
• sick
• unwholesome
• frightful
• brackish
• exceptionable
• unwelcome
• unsavory
• macabre
• lurid
• lousy
• barbarous
• upsetting
• hard
• uncivilized
• dislikable
• ungodly
• sickly
• distressing
• unholy
• unchristian
• sickish
• off-putting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• acceptable
• innocuous
• desirable
• delightful
• pleasant
• attractive
• delicious
• inoffensive
• appealing
• agreeable
• nice
• sweet
• enjoyable
• gratifying
• alluring
• welcome
• satisfying
• congenial
• heavenly
• pleasurable
• pleasing
• dreamy
• delectable
• felicitous
• palatable
• darling
• blessed
• likable
• luscious
• inviting
• unobjectionable
• dulcet
• savory
• unexceptionable
• wholesome
• healthy
• salutary
• healthful
• salubrious
• restorative
• delightsome

2

as in horrific

extremely disturbing or repellent

appalling crimes against humanity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• horrific
• gruesome
• shocking
• horrible
• terrible
• nightmare
• frightening
• horrifying
• awful
• terrific
• dreadful
• terrifying
• hideous
• horrid
• sickening
• atrocious
• horrendous
• scary
• ghastly
• nightmarish
• grisly
• disgusting
• macabre
• monstrous
• frightful
• lurid
• alarming
• dire
• ugly
• deplorable
• fearful
• obscene
• revolting
• repulsive
• loathsome
• grotesque
• abhorrent
• formidable
• repugnant
• offensive
• abominable
• heinous
• unspeakable
• odious
• disagreeable
• direful
• obnoxious
• intimidating
• forbidding
• distasteful
• vile
• fearsome
• gut-wrenching
• evil
• nauseating
• redoubtable
• noxious
• bloodcurdling
• hair-raising
• heart-stopping
• noisome
• unsightly
• foul

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• attractive
• pleasant
• delightful
• delicious
• appealing
• welcome
• enjoyable
• agreeable
• satisfying
• pleasing
• pleasurable
• enticing
• delectable
• inviting
• comforting
• soothing
• cheering

appalling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of appall

as in shocking

to cause an unpleasant surprise for

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shocking
• horrifying
• stunning
• frightening
• startling
• astonishing
• terrifying
• scaring
• disgusting
• alarming
• shaking
• amazing
• jolting
• shaking up
• outraging
• sickening
• stupefying
• dumbfounding
• flabbergasting
• overwhelming
• dismaying
• revolting
• nauseating
• astounding
• flooring
• panicking
• frighting
• disturbing
• scarifying
• distressing
• terrorizing
• upsetting
• displeasing
• unsettling
• dispiriting
• disconcerting
• affrighting
• unnerving
• disquieting
• freaking (out)
• daunting
• spooking
• knocking for a loop
• offending
• scandalizing
• bowling over
• discomforting
• emasculating
• perturbing
• demoralizing
• repelling
• awing
• undoing
• chilling
• unmanning
• turning off
• overpowering
• discomposing
• unstringing
• crushing
• weirding out

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• gratifying
• charming
• pleasing
• rejoicing
• cushioning
• tempting
• delighting
• enticing
• comforting
• assuring
• buffering
• tickling
• cheering
• reassuring
• soothing
• consoling
• solacing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of appalling

Adjective

Manzo was politically forged by the cartels’ appalling displays of violence and looked to stamp it out with reciprocal displays of force against the crime organizations. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2026

The symbols that were represented are antisemitic and hateful to every person of conscience; this appalling act violated our sense of community and solidarity. — Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 3 June 2026

Verb

Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy. — Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025

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