appalling
Americanadjective
-
causing dismay or horror.
an appalling accident; an appalling lack of manners.
adjective
-
causing extreme dismay, horror, or revulsion
-
very bad
Other Word Forms
- appallingly adverb
- unappalling adjective
- unappallingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of appalling
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.
But British government minister Wes Streeting told UK broadcasters he regarded West using bipolar disorder "to justify his actions" as "appalling".
From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026
This stuff is all absolutely appalling, and it is an unqualified good that she’ll be out the door.
From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026
We’ve all seen the appalling videos of masked agents ambushing and abducting these migrants in the halls of New York’s immigration court as they’re leaving a hearing.
From Slate • Mar. 27, 2026
"There are now serious questions for authorities in the West Midlands to answer about what could be an appalling scandal happening right here on British high streets."
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026
There was a sudden and appalling hush; eyes floated uncomfortably, not knowing where to look.
From "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.