aghast

[ uh-gast, uh-gahst ]

adjective

1. struck with overwhelming shock or amazement; filled with sudden fright or horror:

   They stood aghast at the sight of the plane crashing.

aghast

/ əˈɡɑːst /

adjective

1. postpositive overcome with amazement or horror

Word History and Origins

Origin of aghast¹

1225–75; Middle English agast frightened, past participle of agasten, equivalent to a- a- ³ + gasten, Old English gǣstan to frighten, earlier *gāstjan < Germanic causative *gaistjan; ghost

Word History and Origins

Origin of aghast¹

C13: agast, from Old English gæstan to frighten. The spelling with gh is on the model of ghastly

Example Sentences

Trump supporters are equally aghast that anyone could vote for a candidate who has flip-flopped on policy and has been in the White House at a time when illegal border crossings reached record levels.

From BBC

In the first ‘Sex and the City’ movie, released in 2008, Cynthia Nixon’s Miranda Hobbes exasperatedly acknowledges the trend: “That’s it?!” she says, aghast as the costume options in a store.

From Los Angeles Times

Michaels “was aghast at the condition” of the studio, according to “Live From New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live,” the dishy book by James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales.

From Los Angeles Times

The shock rocker’s return has sparked outrage from women who have alleged abuse and activists aghast that Manson, who has denied all allegations, is performing in arenas again.

From Los Angeles Times

Predictably, the mainstream news media, pundits and responsible political watchers stood aghast at Trump’s celebration of wanton violence.

From Salon

Related Words

• agog
• amazed
• anxious
• appalled
• awestruck
• dismayed
• shocked
• stunned