Appall Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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appall

[əˈpɔːl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

feeling

greatly dismay or horrify.

Synonyms

alarm, disgust, horror, repel, shock.

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Word Description / Examples
appall

Used to describe a feeling of strong disapproval or shock, usually due to witnessing something extremely unpleasant or unethical.

  • The level of violence in the movie will appall many viewers.
  • She was appalled by the news of the scandal.
shock

Usually refers to a sudden, intense feeling of surprise or disbelief, often caused by unexpected or disturbing events.

  • The news of his resignation shocked the entire company.
  • She was shocked to find out about the hidden truth.
horror

Used to describe an intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust, often due to witnessing something terrifying or gruesome.

  • The horror of the accident left the witnesses speechless.
  • She watched the horror movie with a sense of dread.
alarm

Describes a feeling of sudden fear or anxiety, usually in response to a danger or a disturbing event.

  • The sound of the alarm bell caused everyone to evacuate the building.
  • News of the approaching hurricane alarmed the coastal residents.
disgust

Refers to a strong feeling of aversion or revulsion, often due to something offensive or distasteful.

  • The sight of the spoiled food filled her with disgust.
  • His rude comments disgusted everyone at the dinner table.
repel

Used to describe a strong negative reaction to something, leading to a desire to avoid or move away from it. Often implies physical or emotional aversion.

  • The smell of the garbage was enough to repel anyone.
  • His arrogant attitude repels potential friends.

Examples of usage

  • It appalled her to see how much her friend had deteriorated.
  • The thought of being trapped in a small space appalled him.
  • The news of the tragedy appalled the entire community.
  • She was appalled by the lack of compassion shown by some people.
  • The graphic images in the documentary appalled viewers.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'appall'

The word 'appall' originated from the Old French word 'appalir' meaning 'to grow pale' or 'make pale'. Over time, its meaning evolved to convey a sense of great dismay or horror. The word has been used in English literature for centuries to describe the strong emotional reaction of being greatly shocked or horrified.


See also: appalled, appalling.