appall

American  

[uh-pawl] / əˈpɔl /

especially British, appal

verb (used with object)

1. to fill or overcome with horror, consternation, or fear; dismay.

   He was appalled by the damage from the fire. I am appalled at your mistakes.

   Synonyms:

   daunt, horrify

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Related Words

See frighten.

Etymology

Origin of appall

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Middle French ap(p)allir “to grow or make pale,” equivalent to a- a- ⁵ + pal(l)ir in same sense; pale ¹

Example Sentences

Cdr Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, said officers have been working "continuously" to investigate and identify those responsible for the "appalling attacks".

From BBC

An industry colleague recently admitted that while she was appalled by Ms. Owens’s fanciful claims, she kept tuning in for the next installment of “crazy.”

From The Wall Street Journal

"There are now serious questions for authorities in the West Midlands to answer about what could be an appalling scandal happening right here on British high streets."

From BBC

But the country's teeth were in an appalling state after World War Two and pent-up demand was much greater than politicians anticipated.

From BBC

Its chief executive Agnes Lunny said her staff were "appalled" at how the reviews were being conducted "over a Zoom call".

From BBC