1
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
opening your mouth to show me your half-chewed food is absolutely appalling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in horrific
extremely disturbing or repellent
appalling crimes against humanity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in shocking
to cause an unpleasant surprise for
conditions inside the house overrun with cats simply appalled animal control officers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of appalling
Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024
Many of them were underwhelming and, in some cases, appalling.
—Andrew Webster, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2024
Democrat Raul Ruiz, who represents Coachella in Congress, described Trump’s decision to appear in Coachella as appalling, clueless, and ignorant.
—John Phillips, Orange County Register, 9 Oct. 2024
One year on from the appalling, unjustifiable Oct. 7 Hamas attacks and Israel’s ongoing, disproportionate military assault and atrocities in Gaza, the whole Middle East is on the brink of a catastrophic regional war.
—Mary Robinson, TIME, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for appalling 
Adjective
This adds another turn of the screw to the problem of appalling opinions.
—Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024
Many of them were underwhelming and, in some cases, appalling.
—Andrew Webster, The Verge, 12 Oct. 2024
Democrat Raul Ruiz, who represents Coachella in Congress, described Trump’s decision to appear in Coachella as appalling, clueless, and ignorant.
—John Phillips, Orange County Register, 9 Oct. 2024
One year on from the appalling, unjustifiable Oct. 7 Hamas attacks and Israel’s ongoing, disproportionate military assault and atrocities in Gaza, the whole Middle East is on the brink of a catastrophic regional war.
—Mary Robinson, TIME, 8 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for appalling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appalling
Adjective
-
At least Gill thinks that coffee is disgusting too.Brian Moylan, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024
-
Trump is disgusting, unhinged and unfit to represent the United States.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Iran possessing nukes represents an existential threat to Israel’s security in a way that terror groups—despite their horrific actions—simply never did.Carrie A. Lee, Foreign Affairs, 19 Nov. 2024
-
But when Harvey goes missing, Batman is forced to descend into the city’s labyrinthian underground, uncovering a horrific conspiracy by a secret society that has ruled Gotham for ages, one that has ties to his parents’ tragic murder.Todd Spangler, Variety, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
-
The news of John Amos‘ passing was announced earlier this week, shocking many many fans, colleagues, and even his own family members.Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 4 Oct. 2024
-
But rather than play up the murders’ shocking gore or give momentum to Lois’ investigation, the first few episodes are content to linger in the investigator’s ennui.Alison Herman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
For the evening, the stews break out their coral dresses instead of blacks which are pretty awful.Emma Soren, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024
-
Jean Dujardin, the French actor who won an Academy Award for that awful silent-movie spoof The Artist, is almost unrecognizable in On the Wandering Paths (Sur les chemins noirs).Armond White, National Review, 1 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
But the indictment returned by a Georgia grand jury in May detailed a gruesome confrontation in which Ibarra allegedly asphyxiated the student, hit her over the head with a rock to the point of disfiguring her skull, and pulled up her clothing, intending to rape her.Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 20 Nov. 2024
-
The film, set for theatrical release in the second or third quarter of 2025, centers on 13-year-old Achraf, who is forced into a gruesome and unimaginable act after his cousin Nizar is murdered by a group of men.Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
But the return of Terry Silver and that horrible Sekai Taikai tragedy seemed to put any hope for romance on pause, at least for now.Nick Caruso, TVLine, 19 Nov. 2024
-
Natty’s son, Bart, is also present at their arrival, boasting about how horrible business has been and that the dude ranch will soon be sold for a hefty sum of money.Sara Belcher, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Meanwhile Kelly Oubre, who was terrible with the Warriors, has found success with Philadelphia.Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
-
Elsbeth and Kaya are suspicious of Roselyn, even after Valentina’s quick assessment — supported by the medical examiner — that Claude’s death was a terrible accident.Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Next she was wrenched the other way in a sickening, 180° roll, and one of the crew members tumbled down the almost-vertical deck and vanished in the sea.Orval C. Johnson, Outdoor Life, 31 Oct. 2024
-
What was sickening about being there in person was watching the Trump fans around me and realizing that there was nothing shocking about it to them.Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 31 Oct. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near appalling
Cite this Entry
“Appalling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appalling. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share