appalling

[ uh-paw-ling ]

adjective

1. causing dismay or horror:

   an appalling accident; an appalling lack of manners.

appalling

/ əˈpɔːlɪŋ /

adjective

1. causing extreme dismay, horror, or revulsion
2. very bad

Derived Forms

• apˈpallingly, adverb

Other Words From

• ap·palling·ly adverb
• unap·palling adjective
• unap·palling·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of appalling¹

First recorded in 1810–20; appall + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Coventry Conservative group leader Gary Ridley said he was “deeply concerned about the whole situation”, adding that the communication from the Home Office had been “appalling”.

From BBC

“The fact that anybody would use deeply flawed and misleading rankings as part of their strategic plan for a university is appalling,” Dr. Diermeier said in an interview.

From New York Times

John Smyth’s death in 2018 meant an "appalling abuser" associated with the Church of England escaped justice for crimes stretching back decades.

From BBC

She added that she hoped his could "take comfort from knowing her husband has been brought to justice for this appalling attack".

From BBC

As for the judicial branch, we don't know for sure what the Supreme Court would do with cases aimed at stopping Trump's appalling agenda from coming to fruition.

From Salon

Related Words

• alarming
• astounding
• awful
• dire
• disheartening
• dreadful
• frightening
• frightful
• ghastly
• harrowing
• hideous
• horrible
• horrific
• shocking
• terrible
• terrifying