appall

variants also appal

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb appall contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of appall are daunt, dismay, and horrify. While all these words mean "to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion," appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks.

I am appalled by your behavior

When can daunt be used instead of appall?

The meanings of daunt and appall largely overlap; however, daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage.

a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

When is it sensible to use dismay instead of appall?

The words dismay and appall can be used in similar contexts, but dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something.

dismayed at the size of the job

In what contexts can horrify take the place of appall?

In some situations, the words horrify and appall are roughly equivalent. However, horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion.

was horrified by such wanton cruelty

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 Still, there is plenty here that should appall both Democrats and Republicans. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025 Dismay or appall you, sure, but never surprise you. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024 That kind of appalls me to think that people need not expect that of themselves. David Marchese Photograph By Mamadi Doumbouya, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2024 What appalls him now is a lack of accountability in Netanyahu’s government. David Remnick, The New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2024 Kunzig: Alejandra, the weather this year kept finding fresh ways to appall us. Susan Goldberg, National Geographic, 9 Dec. 2021 The whiteness of the fantasy village will appall some — including, presumably, those who protested Gelman’s leadership of The Wing, that women-only co-working operation whose own workforce was notoriously segregated by race. Grace Lavery, Curbed, 20 Apr. 2022 Are there some whose only aim is to appall and disturb? Mark Shanahan, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Dec. 2022 These attacks weren't meant to appall liberals; they were meant to entice conservatives. Grayson Quay, The Week, 21 July 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appall
Verb
  • He was covered in an oily substance, terrified, and wouldn’t eat.
    Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 24 May 2025
  • Akasha was terrified that his charmed life was over.
    Andy Greenberg, Wired News, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Ian Mao floored 15 kills, while Vitou Seng recorded 12 kills and 31 digs as Lowell (12-1) defeated Haverhill 3-1 in the Merrimack Valley Conference.
    Kristina Banahan, Boston Herald, 8 May 2025
  • The prestigious honor floored Gómez, 31, a Wheaton resident in his sixth year of teaching at the Franklin Park high school.
    Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • By sharing a visual insight into their space, Spencer hopes people won’t be frightened by the unknown.
    Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 22 May 2025
  • Meanwhile, in the real world, Netflix’s release strategy continues to frighten and confuse.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • The employee said to not shoot the bear and advised him to call Public Safety to scare it away, officials said, adding that what likely attracted the bear to the man’s home were food items, including cat food and unclean grills.
    Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 25 May 2025
  • This is the second bill DeSantis has signed in Florida on swatting, or making false police reports to scare victims by sending law enforcement to their home.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Perhaps there is some potential for hypersonics here, but I would be shocked to ever see a satellite launched into orbit from a fighter jet.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 May 2025
  • Despite the wide selection, don’t be shocked by the steep prices.
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • He isn’t disgusted by sexuality, just innocent and uninterested.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025
  • In the book, Cruise and Bateman share an apartment building, a fact that Bateman appears at times both delighted and disgusted by.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington CEO Gil Preuss said in a statement that he was horrified by the shooting and mourned the loss of the two people killed.
    Maya Sweedler, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
  • On Tuesday, Britain paused free trade talks with Israel, summoned its ambassador and announced further sanctions against West Bank settlers after Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was horrified by the military escalation in Gaza.
    Astha Rajvanshi, NBC news, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Moskowitz said at the time, with tongue in cheek, he was offended by the low price, writing on social media that the store had reduced the value of his life’s work to less than $9.
    Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025
  • Richard was known for being outspoken, if not arrogant, consistently rubbing his Tagi tribe the wrong way and offending some of them with his blatant display of nudity on the island.
    Nick Caruso, TVLine, 27 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Appall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appall. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on appall

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!