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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.

Silverman, the CAA's director of investigations and enforcement, said many Jews had reacted "with shock and they were appalled" by the festival's decision to book West.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Its chief executive Agnes Lunny said her staff were "appalled" at how the reviews were being conducted "over a Zoom call".

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

In an X post, the Union of Journalists in Israel said it was "appalled" by the police conduct and urged the police commissioner to "immediately suspend the officers involved".

From Barron's • Mar. 18, 2026

As Ellen Carol DuBois relates in “Elizabeth Cady Stanton,” her subject was appalled to realize that, after the Civil War, men of unexalted background were destined to get the vote before educated women like her.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

Connor looked appalled and shrunk down in his seat.

From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling

Vocabulary lists containing appalled

Grade 9, List 1

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

"The Odyssey" by Homer, Books 8–13

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The Westing Game

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!