Definitions

appalled

[uh-pawld] / əˈpɔld /

ADJECTIVE

aghast

Synonyms

STRONGEST

agog amazed anxious awestruck dismayed shocked stunned

WEAK

afraid agape alarmed astonished astounded confounded dumbfounded frightened horror-struck overwhelmed startled terrified thunderstruck

Antonyms

WEAK

unsurprised

ADJECTIVE

bewildered

Synonyms

STRONGEST

astonished awed baffled befuddled dazed mystified perplexed puzzled rattled shocked startled stunned surprised

STRONG

addled astounded dazzled disconcerted dizzy dumbfounded flabbergasted floored flustered lost misled muddled reeling staggered stumped stupefied thrown

WEAK

agape aghast agog awe-struck bowled over dumbstruck flipped-out giddy in a dither punchy shook-up speechless taken aback thunderstruck uncertain unglued

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aware

STRONG

clear

WEAK

oriented understanding

ADJECTIVE

disgusted

Synonyms

STRONGEST

outraged queasy tired unhappy weary

STRONG

abhorred displeased nauseated repelled repulsed revolted satiated scandalized sick

WEAK

fastidious fed up full up grossed out had bellyful had enough had it nauseous overwrought sick and tired of sick of squeamish turned off up to here

Antonyms

STRONGEST

activated fresh

WEAK

attracted delighted desirous happy pleased

ADJECTIVE

shocked

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aghast amazed astonished dismayed offended stunned

STRONG

astounded upset

ADJECTIVE

shocked

Synonyms

STRONGEST

aghast astonished dismayed frightened

STRONG

appalling degrading humiliating jarred shocking stupefied

WEAK

deplorable infra dig opprobrious percussive squeamish ugly vulgar

Antonyms

STRONG

comforting

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.

When President Ulysses S. Grant sent the Declaration of Independence to Philadelphia to be displayed, the public was appalled by its condition, which led the government to establish the National Archives.

From Salon • Jun. 30, 2026

“As a Troy resident, I am appalled that our own mayor, our own administration, can essentially write off the rights of a significant portion of people who pay their salaries,” one speaker said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026

Beattie said Murrell went to "extreme criminal lengths" to cover his tracks and told journalists at Holyrood that he felt "utterly appalled" and "genuinely hurt" by the former chief executive's actions.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

I was only 16 but shocked, appalled, saddened and angry, all simultaneously.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Slowly, appalled at what she was doing, she crawled towards the slit, pulling the reluctant cub with her.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

appalled

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

Vocabulary lists containing appalled

Grade 9, List 1

"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 8–13

The Westing Game

appalled

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

Related Words

Vocabulary lists containing appalled

Grade 9, List 1

"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 8–13

The Westing Game