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
Example 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
Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
White Lotus is an anthology series, following a different group of appalling rich people around a different lavish resort each season for a vacation that inevitably ends in someone’s death.
—Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 10 Mar. 2025
The stories for the most part focus on the damage that will be done by the spending reductions and barely mention the appalling examples of fraud and waste.
—Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2025
The Trump administration and the most appalling members of Congress are united in their contempt for democracies here and around the world.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for appalling
Adjective
My coworkers labor tirelessly to provide the best care possible to these children and adolescents despite these appalling circumstances.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
White Lotus is an anthology series, following a different group of appalling rich people around a different lavish resort each season for a vacation that inevitably ends in someone’s death.
—Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 10 Mar. 2025
The stories for the most part focus on the damage that will be done by the spending reductions and barely mention the appalling examples of fraud and waste.
—Nolan Finley, Twin Cities, 4 Mar. 2025
The Trump administration and the most appalling members of Congress are united in their contempt for democracies here and around the world.
—Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for appalling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for appalling
Adjective
-
Using that platform to engage in partisan attacks and accuse former Department leadership of weaponizing law enforcement is a disgusting betrayal of those values.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Continue reading … ‘PRO-CRIMINAL’ – Blue state sheriff unloads on 'disgusting' bill targeting the right to self-defense.—
Fox News,
Fox News,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
While the defense in front of him remained very much horrific in Buffalo, Jarry was not good.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
-
In court documents, prosecutors described it as one of the most horrific incidents to occur in Las Cruces, located about 40 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Jung-bae wound up in a room of three, with Player 001 and some rando — but Player 001 choked the stranger to death in time to reduce their head count, shocking Jung-bae more than a bit.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
26 Dec. 2024
-
Fox News Digital obtained shocking audio between Cyrus and his estranged wife where the country crooner is heard berating his Australian ex and using profane language.—
Ashley Hume,
Fox News,
26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
To have hate at such a young age for another student is awful.—
Kellie Love,
Hartford Courant,
21 Mar. 2025
-
But against lefties, while hitting from the righty batter's box, Cabrera has been downright awful, with a .562 OPS and anemic .209 batting average in 187 career plate appearances.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Watkins immediately received a flood of support on social media after the gruesome injury, as athletes and analysts from around the sports world chimed in with well wishes.—
Sean Neumann,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Following the gruesome discovery, an arrest warrant was issued for Jones, charging him with murder.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Those plans are HMOs and many of us remember how horrible those were, denying service, or stalling approval.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2025
-
Lillard’s blood clot diagnosis continues a horrible stretch of injuries that has limited the Bucks’ ability to chase postseason glory since the Bucks ended the franchise’s 50-year championship drought by winning the 2021 NBA title.—
Sam Amick,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The boys now harbor a terrible secret of their own.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
-
But the point is, every team has a few terrible losses in the course of a season.—
Josh Yohe,
The Athletic,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The disconnect between the reality that many people are currently experiencing hunger, in part because of climate change, and this fancy dinner was sickening.—
The Dial,
The Dial,
18 Mar. 2025
-
The ceaselessly rolling, jolting boat was sickening to him, too.—
Joyce Carol Oates,
The New Yorker,
16 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Appalling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appalling. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share