appalling 1 of 2

adjective

ə-ˈpȯ-liŋ How to pronounce appalling (audio)
Definition of appallingnext
1
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment opening your mouth to show me your half-chewed food is absolutely appalling

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2
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent appalling crimes against humanity

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 appalling
Adjective
This scandal comes as an appalling blow to the BND, and Germany as a whole, at a time of great danger. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 17 Oct. 2026 For many, the clear skies and beauty of that early autumn morning served as a tragic contrast to the appalling and terrifying events that would unfold. — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
Verb
The young Forster recoiled from the school’s culture of authoritarianism and militaristic chauvinism, which may have found expression in the students’ often appalling attitudes toward their own mothers. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 May 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for appalling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appalling
  1. disgusting
  2. horrific
  3. shocking
  4. awful
  5. gruesome
  6. horrifying
  7. horrible
  8. terrible
Adjective
  • Their fearless leader is the relentlessly disgusting, but equally brilliant Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman) who insults, cajoles, and gaslights his foot-dragging staff into feats of daring heroism.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Everyone starts tasting the varied, apparently disgusting, bottles.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • Teen details horrific ordeal Duarte met the 15-year-old when the girl was taking a stroll with her dog near a pool at the hotel, according to Duarte’s arrest report.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Short says despite Thursday night's horrific crime, RTD has done a lot to ensure the safety of their operators and passengers.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Nov. 2026
Definition of horrific
Verb
  • Mo does a great job making a box for a baby shower complete with nougatine ribbons and adorable frosted teddy bears, and the cake is a coffee sponge with chocolate ganache that Nigella rips into with unreserved gusto that was shocking even to her.
    — Brian Moylan, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2026
  • Beyond the negative effects for workers and employers, shocking images of draconian raids added to the political damage.
    — Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • Losing to the Tampa Bay Bucs starting an undrafted rookie quarterback was awful, and gagging the home game in overtime to the Awful Arizona Cardinals was worse; coming back in the fourth quarter to beat the Colts is almost just as bad.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Nov. 2026
  • The only sign his group was listening to the awful things their friend/boss/son was being accused of was the very active facial expressions of Brand’s wife, Laura.
    — Luke Jones, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of awful
Adjective
  • Less than four minutes into the game, Apple Valley senior fullback Joseph Lopez suffered a gruesome leg injury and the game was delayed about 30 minutes for the medical response and on-field treatment.
    — Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2026
  • In his Address at Gettysburg, President Lincoln transformed a gruesome battle into the raison d’être of a truly United States that for the first time in its history became a union.
    — Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of gruesome
Verb
  • On Christmas Day, Neon will weigh in with the best of the three, Luca Guadagnino’s Artificial, a humorous and ultimately horrifying account of 20 years of AI evolution and a scorching portrait of OpenAI founder Sam Altman.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The crime scene was gruesome, horrifying those who were summoned to the Second Street home in the wake of the attacks.
    — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of horrifying
Adjective
  • Their monthlong travel by ship was under horrible conditions.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
  • While the fire was horrible, Hong said some blessings have emerged from the tragedy.
    — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of horrible
Adjective
  • The bat lay on its back, soggy and wretched, here in the waning hours of this terrible day.
    — Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
  • An ugly fight between teammates during training camp was a terrible start to a season that officially began with a loss against North Carolina, a game in Dublin that TCU essentially sold, against the desires of Dykes.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of terrible

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Cite this Entry

“Appalling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appalling. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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