appalling

adjective

ap·​pall·​ing ə-ˈpȯ-liŋ 

: inspiring horror, dismay, or disgust

living under appalling conditions

appalling savagery

appallingly adverb

Synonyms

• abhorrent
• abominable
• awful
• disgusting
• distasteful
• dreadful
• evil
• foul
• fulsome
• gross
• hideous
• horrendous
• horrible
• horrid
• loathsome
• nasty
• nauseating
• nauseous
• noisome
• noxious
• obnoxious
• obscene
• odious
• offensive
• rancid
• repellent
• repellant
• repugnant
• repulsive
• revolting
• scandalous
• shocking
• sickening
• ugly

Examples of appalling in a Sentence

We drove by an appalling accident on the highway.

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The first episode is all stage-setting, introducing the main plot, which involves the Empire’s appalling treatment of the planet Ghorman and Luthen’s attempt to lend aid to the Ghor. —Noel Murray, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

At home, Americans are prouder, with about 34 percent now saying the country is on the right track, compared to an appalling 20 percent just three months ago. —Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025

More than 80 dogs, two cats and a chicken have been rescued from a filth-riddled home in England after they were found living in appalling conditions. —Phil Boucher, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025

The appalling situation was first discovered on Feb. 17, when the man started a fire in the home in an effort to escape, police said. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of appall

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for appalling

• enthralling
• forestalling
• installing
• recalling
• balling
• bawling
• brawling
• calling
• colling
• crawling
• drawling
• falling

Kids Definition

appalling

adjective

ap·​pall·​ing

ə-ˈpȯl-iŋ

: inspiring horror or dismay : shocking

appallingly adverb