Appalling: meaning, definitions and examples

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appalling

[əˈpɔːlɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

feeling

Causing shock or horror; extremely bad or unpleasant.

Synonyms

awful, dreadful, horrifying, shocking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
appalling	Best used to describe something extremely bad or severe, often causing surprise or disbelief. The living conditions in the refugee camp were appalling. Her appalling behavior at the party shocked everyone.
horrifying	Used to describe something that causes horror or is very shocking and terrifying. The news of the accident was horrifying. He told a horrifying story about the haunted house.
shocking	Typically used to describe something that causes a strong emotional reaction, often due to its unexpected or outrageous nature. Her sudden resignation was shocking to everyone at the office. The documentary revealed some shocking truths about the company.
dreadful	Used for describing something that causes fear or is very unpleasant. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. She felt a dreadful sense of guilt. The movie was dreadful; I wouldn't recommend it.
awful	Used in casual conversation to describe something unpleasant or very bad. Less formal than other words in this list. The weather today is awful. I had an awful headache last night.

Examples of usage

The conditions in the prison were truly appalling.
The appalling news of the disaster left everyone speechless.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

appearance

Very unattractive or unpleasant in a way that causes fear or disgust.

Synonyms

abominable, disgusting, repellent, revolting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
appalling	Used to describe something that is shockingly bad or horrific, often causing dismay or alarm. The state of the hospital was appalling, with dirty floors and overcrowded rooms. Her behavior at the meeting was simply appalling.
repellent	Often used to describe something that is so unpleasant that it pushes people away; can also refer to something that wards off a particular threat, like insects. The idea of eating insects is absolutely repellent to me. She found his arrogant attitude repellent.
revolting	Used similarly to 'disgusting', but often implies a stronger, more visceral reaction of nausea or repulsion. The smell coming from the trash bin was revolting. The movie contained revolting scenes that made the audience feel sick.
disgusting	Used to express strong distaste or revulsion, often in relation to appearance, taste, or smell. The food in that restaurant was disgusting; I couldn't eat it. He left the room in a disgusting state, with trash everywhere.
abominable	Used to describe something that is morally repulsive or extremely unpleasant. The dictator committed abominable acts against his own people. The living conditions in the prison were abominable.

Examples of usage

The smell coming from the kitchen was truly appalling.
The state of the old building was appalling, with decay everywhere.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old French word 'apalir', which means 'to make pale', referring to how something shocking can drain the color from your face.
It entered the English language in the early 17th century, originally describing the act of causing fright or horror.

Cultural Usage

In literature, authors often use the term to describe horrific situations to evoke a strong emotional reaction from readers.
In film and theater, appalling events are frequently used to create tension, making audiences feel shocked or anxious.

Psychology

Witnessing appalling events can trigger a strong stress response, sometimes leading to feelings of helplessness or trauma.
People often become desensitized to appalling content in media over time, which can diminish their emotional reactions.

Social Commentary

The word is frequently used in discussions about social issues, such as poverty or violence, highlighting unacceptable conditions.
Activists use 'appalling' to draw attention to injustices, aiming to spur action and awareness among the public.

Pop Culture

The term has appeared in numerous songs and movies to express outrage or disapproval of certain situations.
Comedians often use the word to enhance their routines, making light of what many find to be unacceptable behavior.

Translations

Translations of the word "appalling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 horrível

🇮🇳 भयानक

🇩🇪 erschreckend

🇮🇩 mengerikan

🇺🇦 жахливий

🇵🇱 przerażający

🇯🇵 恐ろしい

🇫🇷 épouvantable

🇪🇸 espantoso

🇹🇷 dehşet verici

🇰🇷 끔찍한

🇸🇦 مروع

🇨🇿 děsivý

🇸🇰 desivý

🇨🇳 骇人听闻的

🇸🇮 grozljiv

🇮🇸 hræðilegt

🇰🇿 қорқынышты

🇬🇪 საშინელი

🇦🇿 dəhşətli

🇲🇽 espantoso

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,872, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
11869 instinctively
11870 soothing
11871 glove
11872 appalling
11873 smoothed
11874 abbreviated
11875 providence
...