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
  • When neighbors are afraid to call the police, when workers fear going to their jobs, and when children are terrified their parents won’t come home — that’s not safety.
    Andrew Nietor, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
  • He was terrified of a race under the current lines.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • The revelation in Sunday’s paper that prosecutors revealed in a court filing that Madigan was worth $40 million absolutely floored me!
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2025
  • The formula floored cosmetic chemist Marisal Mou, who had previously only seen its star ingredient—nanopeptide-3—used in skin care.
    Dianna Singh, Allure, 10 June 2025
Verb
  • On May 18, Palmer and the cast attended the Shadyside High Senior Prom ’88 experience as guests explored versions of the gymnasium, lockers, girls’ bathroom and more locations designed to frighten fans.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025
  • What to know The Astra channel said that Tokarev, head of the military medical commission of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Sevastopol, got frightened during an air raid alarm overnight on May 1 sparked by a Ukrainian drone barrage.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • Commissioners debate impact fees Several commissioners expressed concerns that a sharp hike in impact fees could scare away businesses from building in Manatee County, from day care centers to manufacturing.
    Ryan Ballogg, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
  • Apparently, the card's $5 million price tag is not scaring off the jet-setters looking to make the U.S. home.
    Tovia Smith, NPR, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • The near miss shocked the country, but polling showed sharp partisan divides even in the case of the near assassination of a presidential candidate.
    Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
  • Last season, Forest had a small core of players who almost shocked European football by qualifying for the Champions League.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • We were disgusted by the ambience of this special occasion in our grandchildren’s lives.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 June 2025
  • He was disgusted by George Wallace’s rancid demagoguery.
    The Editors, National Review, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • The medical professionals were horrified to learn the truth.
    Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 24 May 2025
  • His plan horrified and frightened most Arab leaders, not just on humanitarian grounds but because a large influx of Gazans would destabilize any Arab countries that took them in.
    Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • If the defendant in such a case wins the special motion and the offending cause of action is dismissed, then the defendant who brought the special motion must be awarded their attorney fees, expenses and costs in relation to the special motion.
    Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
  • Her parents, or the girl herself, may well be offended at the notion that her family cannot afford to meet your family’s dress standards.
    Judith Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Appall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appall. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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