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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of appalling
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025
Don’t bet on it, given the appalling way Mayor Bruce Ehlers inserted himself into the controversy in August.
—U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
Truly appalling friend counsel here from Mindy.
—Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for appalling
Adjective
And though the most appalling moments from such shows tend to go the most viral, the shows themselves are not uniformly reprehensible.
—Verb
Of all the recent poster boys for appalling misbehavior by the State Police, Michael Proctor would of course rank number one.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for appalling
Adjective
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The medical ordeals are traumatic and disgusting, but fascinating and full of the quirks of modern life.—
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Having snow, slush, and (eventually) water all over my floors was a disgusting feeling.—
Adjective
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Wednesday afternoon, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the shooting horrific.—
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From a horrific account of an asteroid hitting Earth to an evil AI computer capable of designing deadly activities, readers will face the dark and mysterious corners of the human experience.—
Verb
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The hunt for a murder suspect uncovers a crime with shocking legal and ethical implications; Bruno must protect his squad during a raid on a suspect's home; Carisi and Price team up in court when Brady's interrogation tactics undermine the case.—
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The short-term impact was shocking with the loss of foliage but today, about 15 years later, the border looks beautiful and screens the neighbor’s house and yard while providing a reliable habitat for birds.—
Adjective
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The Hoosiers, of course, are the prime example of a longtime awful football program rising to the top.—
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Mamdani hasn’t had time yet to flesh out his awful, socialist ideas into real policies that adversely affect New Yorkers.—
Adjective
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Peter offers her not only logic — a picture in which all the parts, however gruesome, fit together — but salvation.—
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The prosecution argued that being on drugs didn't excuse the gruesome attack.—
Verb
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The visage, created by Universal Studio’s then-lead makeup artist Jack Pierce for the 1931 film, was horrifying enough that its influence endured for almost 100 years.—
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No special effects were required to trigger Curry's stark drift from amiability to horrifying emptiness.—
Adjective
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Are there horrible smells wafting around?—
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Jimmy Kimmel was horrible, and some of these people.—
Adjective
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The groundbreaking research penetrated the last moments of the young nobleman, who suffered a terrible 26 blows.—
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History is full of cases where great bands make terrible records, yet history stands speechless at what the Clash accomplished here.—
Cite this Entry
“Appalling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appalling. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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