Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for appalled. Search instead for abpralle.
Definitions

appalled

[uh-pawld] / əˈpɔld /






Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for appalled?
Some of the closest synonyms for appalled are dismayed and disgusted. Dismayed implies a sense of sadness or disappointment about something that has happened. Appalled implies not sadness but extreme distaste or disgust, and the same thing is implied by disgusted. Appalled also often implies a sense of shock or surprise. In fact, appalled is often used alongside the word shocked, as in We were shocked and appalled.  Shocked implies extreme surprise, but it can be positive or negative. Appalled is always negative—it’s a combination of surprise (about how bad something is) and outrage.
What is a stronger word for appalled?
Appalled is a pretty strong word. Disgusted is similarly strong, though it may imply an even stronger revulsion for what has happened.
What’s worse than appalled?
Saying that you’re appalled by someone’s behavior is about the strongest way you can say that. To further emphasize disapproval, someone might use several similar words, as in We are shocked, appalled, saddened, and disgusted by this display of violence.
What is the opposite (antonym) of appalled?
Appalled doesn’t necessarily have an exact opposite. When you’re appalled about something, you’re shocked about it in a bad way (because you feel disgust or dismay about it). In this way, feeling positive about something could be considered the opposite of being appalled. Words that capture this idea include reassured, delighted, encouraged, and comforted, as in We were reassured by the results of the survey. 
How do you spell appalled?
The adjective appalled comes from the past tense of the verb appall, so it’s always spelled with two L’s. (In British English, appall is sometimes spelled appal, but even its past tense is spelled appalled.)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

"I was quite appalled at the lack of any kind of documentation of Bradford's Asian communities beyond the stuff that you'd see in the local papers," he says.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

Francis said she was appalled upon learning the result of the appeal two days into the current semester.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

The Yosemite NPS Employees Union said it was "appalled" by the ceding of public lands for private interests, calling the proposed trade "antithetical to what we stand for" as stewards of the park.

From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026

He also tried to subtly rebut concerns among those who had watched the debate and were appalled by Graham’s gaffe.

From Slate ● Aug. 25, 2026

What she learned of these women's lives fascinated but also shocked and appalled her.

From "The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science" by Joyce Sidman




Vocabulary lists containing appalled


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training