appalling

1 of 2

adjective

ap·​pall·​ing ə-ˈpȯ-liŋ How to pronounce appalling (audio)
Synonyms of appalling
: inspiring horror, dismay, or disgust
living under appalling conditions
appalling savagery
appallingly adverb

appalling

2 of 2

present participle of appall

Synonyms of appalling

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Adjective

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Examples of appalling in a Sentence

Adjective We drove by an appalling accident on the highway. opening your mouth to show me your half-chewed food is absolutely appalling
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Adjective
In a statement after the incident, the University of Georgia called Morgan's actions appalling, and thanked Athens-Clarke County police for quickly arresting him. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 That reporting into what claimed to be a better kind of prison, more focused on treating inmates with mental-health issues, concluded that the conditions at the center were appalling, resulting in fires being set by inmates on their own persons. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 Most appalling to Graham is our collective inertia, not to say apathy. — Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026 Trump paid them substandard wages, and their working conditions were appalling. — Kai Bird, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for appalling

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from present participle of appall

First Known Use

Adjective

1635, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of appalling was in 1635

Rhymes for appalling

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Browse Nearby Words

appalled
appalling
appallingly
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Cite this Entry

“Appalling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appalling. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

appalling

adjective
ap·​pall·​ing
ə-ˈpȯl-iŋ
: inspiring horror or dismay : shocking
appallingly adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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