appalling

adjective

ap·​pall·​ing ə-ˈpȯ-liŋ How to pronounce appalling (audio)
Synonyms of appallingnext
: inspiring horror, dismay, or disgust
living under appalling conditions
appalling savagery
appallingly adverb

Synonyms

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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
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.
The Trump administration’s task force to combat antisemitism pulled $400 million in federal grants and contracts from Columbia University this month in response to the school’s appalling mismanagement of the abuse of Jewish students by anti-Israel activists. — The Editors, National Review, 25 Mar. 2025 There have been some appalling train tragedies due to lack of proper funding. — Joshua Sammons, Newsweek, 23 Mar. 2025 Truth is often stranger — and sometimes more appalling — than fiction. — Peter J. Forcelli, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2025 There are so many questions that arise from this latest downturn: 2-5-2 in their last nine and an appalling 4-8-1 in their last 13 at the Garden, including four straight regulation losses. — Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for appalling

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of appall

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of appalling was in 1635

Rhymes for appalling

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Browse Nearby Words

appalled
appalling
Appaloosa
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Cite this Entry

“Appalling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appalling. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

appalling

adjective
ap·​pall·​ing
ə-ˈpȯl-iŋ
: inspiring horror or dismay : shocking
appallingly adverb

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Nglish: Translation of appalling for Spanish Speakers

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