variants
also appal
as in to terrify
to cause an unpleasant surprise for
conditions inside the house overrun with cats simply appalled animal control officers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 appall
That this face was his appalled him more.
—
Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
How shocked and appalled and offended everyone seems to be by this.
—Nick Suss, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Oct. 2025
After going public together on social media, the pair have elicited strong reactions from people in their comments — some appalled by their age gap and others who quickly jump to their defense.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
Hollywood leaders were astonished; free speech groups were appalled; and the episode triggered a multi-day news cycle about free speech and corporate capitulation to political pressure.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
Many of the people who commented on the amendment said they were appalled by O’Hare’s cuts to the Democrats’ budgets.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025
Leaders in northern Germany are appalled after a shop owner posted an antisemitic sign banning Jewish people in a store window.
—Carlo Angerer, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2025
Governance scolds are appalled by the number, as is the pope.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Kennedy holds views that clash sharply with the president’s legal reform agenda and should appall anyone who supports the president’s goal of reforming America’s legal system.
—Tiger Joyce, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
How shocked and appalled and offended everyone seems to be by this.
—Nick Suss, Nashville Tennessean, 13 Oct. 2025
After going public together on social media, the pair have elicited strong reactions from people in their comments — some appalled by their age gap and others who quickly jump to their defense.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025
Hollywood leaders were astonished; free speech groups were appalled; and the episode triggered a multi-day news cycle about free speech and corporate capitulation to political pressure.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2025
Many of the people who commented on the amendment said they were appalled by O’Hare’s cuts to the Democrats’ budgets.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2025
Leaders in northern Germany are appalled after a shop owner posted an antisemitic sign banning Jewish people in a store window.
—Carlo Angerer, NBC news, 19 Sep. 2025
Governance scolds are appalled by the number, as is the pope.
—Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Kennedy holds views that clash sharply with the president’s legal reform agenda and should appall anyone who supports the president’s goal of reforming America’s legal system.
—Tiger Joyce, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appall
Verb
-
While film critics typically lead with the physical transformation that Sweeney pulled off, equally impressive is her ability to delve into the psyche of a woman who was fearless in the ring but rightfully terrified of the man closest to her.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
-
And a chance encounter with ICE in August landed Barojas Solano in detention for six weeks, upending his legal process and leaving them terrified that he could be detained again.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There are also subtle touches to the brand’s native Romeo with palladiana flooring, Calce Romana walls and columns throughout the space.—
Hikmat Mohammed,
Footwear News,
23 Oct. 2025
-
The superintendent was floored.—
Jennifer Smith Richards,
ProPublica,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When the Maitlands' attempts to frighten the Deetzes away fail miserably, Barbara and Adam turn to the mysterious and mischievous Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) to rid them of the living.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Around 100 pairs were found abandoned on the roof, perhaps due to the thieves being frightened away, Sheriff John Budensiek said at the news conference.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The former instantly adds a second layer of security against unwanted guests, and the latter emits an ultra-loud alarm while acting like a door stop wedge, scaring off any stranger who tries to enter your room.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Oct. 2025
-
Actors dressed as sadistic guards and disturbed prisoners, jump-scaring visitors from the prison cells.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When Charlotte was ranked 50th out of 50, the study shocked local leaders and eventual led to the formation of the Opportunity Task Force.—
Desiree Mathurin,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The first comes in the show’s shocking cold open, in which a mother gives birth to a demonic baby that subsequently attacks an 11-year-old boy.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
People are disgusted with Israel’s response.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Christine assures him that she could never be disgusted with him.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The crimes committed by Hamas and other armed factions on that day horrified us.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Family members of Kinman’s biological father said in a statement that they were horrified at the news.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
This may include intense reactions that do not match the situation, or the need to be very careful not to upset or offend them.—
Dr. Theresa T. Nguyen,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The advertisement is unlikely to offend audiences, particularly in places like the United States or Sweden that are not necessarily feeling the pain of the heist, Mulvey said.—
Andrew Stanton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Appall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appall. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share