appalling

[ uh-paw-ling ]
/ əˈpɔ lɪŋ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR appalling ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

causing dismay or horror: an appalling accident; an appalling lack of manners.

Origin of appalling

First recorded in 1810–20; appall + -ing2

OTHER WORDS FROM appalling

ap·pall·ing·ly, adverb un·ap·pall·ing, adjective un·ap·pall·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby appalling

appalachian mountains, appalachian spring, appalachian tea, appalachian trail, appall, appalling, appaloosa, appanage, appar., apparat, apparatchik

Definition for appalling (2 of 3)

appal
[ uh-pawl ]
/ əˈpɔl /

verb (used with object), ap·palled, ap·pal·ling.

appall.

Definition for appalling (3 of 3)

appall

or ap·pal

[ uh-pawl ]
/ əˈpɔl /

verb (used with object)

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.

Origin of appall

1275–1325; Middle English < Middle French ap(p)allir to grow or make pale, equivalent to a- a-5 + pal(l)ir in same sense; see pale1

Words related to appalling

dreadful, horrific, alarming, harrowing, astounding, terrible, hideous, frightful, ghastly, dire, horrible, awful, shocking, frightening, terrifying, disheartening, heavy, intimidating, bad, gross

Example sentences from the Web for appalling

British Dictionary definitions for appalling (1 of 2)

appalling
/ (əˈpɔːlɪŋ) /

adjective

causing extreme dismay, horror, or revulsion
very bad

Derived forms of appalling

appallingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for appalling (2 of 2)

appal

US appall

/ (əˈpɔːl) /

verb -pals, -palling or -palled or US -palls, -palling or -palled

(tr) to fill with horror; shock or dismay

Word Origin for appal

C14: from Old French appalir to turn pale