appalling

adjective

ap·​pall·​ing ə-ˈpȯ-liŋ 

: inspiring horror, dismay, or disgust

living under appalling conditions

appalling savagery

appallingly adverb

Synonyms

• abhorrent
• abominable
• awful
• disgusting
• distasteful
• dreadful
• evil
• foul
• fulsome
• gross
• hideous
• horrendous
• horrible
• horrid
• loathsome
• nasty
• nauseating
• nauseous
• noisome
• noxious
• obnoxious
• obscene
• odious
• offensive
• rancid
• repellent
• repellant
• repugnant
• repulsive
• revolting
• scandalous
• shocking
• sickening
• ugly

Examples of appalling in a Sentence

We drove by an appalling accident on the highway.

opening your mouth to show me your half-chewed food is absolutely appalling

Recent Examples on the Web

Teni, just 2 years old at the time, was forced to witness the appalling scene unfold through a lens of innocence. —Kyle Eustice, SPIN, 24 Jan. 2025

Regardless of your towel hygiene, Miss Manners finds this person’s attitude appalling. —Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2025

Their appalling record of medical neglect, racist violence and other human rights abuses irrevocably harms thousands of predominantly Black and Brown immigrants. —Laura Hernandez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2025

In one appalling case, a female volleyball player suffered a traumatic brain injury after a ball was spiked at her by a person who identified as a trans woman. —Kathy Szeliga, Baltimore Sun, 12 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from present participle of appall

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

appalling

adjective

ap·​pall·​ing

ə-ˈpȯl-iŋ

: inspiring horror or dismay : shocking

appallingly adverb