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

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.
That seems to be the tonally incoherent concept behind Rupert Goold’s new screen-to-stage production, an appalling near-disaster that opened at the August Wilson Theatre March 30. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 31 Mar. 2026 And yet the first half Sunday felt worse, because of the appalling volume of wide open Pacers three-pointers and the poor quality of the injury-riddled opponent. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026 Already the Iran war, now in its fourth week, has seen thousands of people killed and injured, global energy prices skyrocketing, and vast swathes of the turbulent Middle East in the grip of appalling violence. Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026 Personally, that last one seems appalling; being in the same room as a bunch of other people writing, or even on a zoom call with them, would be like having a group visit to the dentist. Literary Hub, 20 Mar. 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Appalling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appalling. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

appalling

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

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