aghast
gb/əɡˈæst/ us/əɡˈæst/
B2
English
~ 9700
megdöbbent, elszörnyedt
B2
1
megdöbbent
B2
elszörnyedt
C1
Usage pattern:
be aghast at [something]
She was aghast at the amount of plastic waste washed up on the beach.
Megdöbbent a partra mosott műanyaghulladék mennyiségétől.
The audience looked aghast as the speaker made a cruel joke about the victims.
A közönség döbbenten nézett, amikor az előadó kegyetlen viccet mondott az áldozatokról.
I was aghast to discover that the company had covered up the safety problems for years.
Neighbors were aghast by the sudden increase in violent crime in their quiet street.
Reporters stood aghast as the politician openly admitted to taking bribes.
Learner examples
We were aghast at the price of the hotel room.
Megdöbbentünk a szállodai szoba árán.
His parents were aghast when they heard what he had done.
A szülei elszörnyedtek, amikor meghallották, mit tett.
The teacher looked aghast when the student shouted at her.
I was aghast to see how dirty the kitchen was.
People were aghast by the pictures on the news.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"aghast of"* instead of *"aghast at" or "aghast by"; standard patterns are "be aghast at something" or "be aghast by something." Another common mistake is using *aghast* before a noun (e.g., *"an aghast man"*); it is almost always used after a verb like *be, look, stand* (e.g., *"The man was aghast"*). Learners may also confuse *aghast* with *ghost* or *ghastly* because of spelling, but *aghast* only describes a feeling of strong shock or horror.
Meaning
Very shocked, horrified, or appalled
Collocations
be aghast at
|look aghast
|stand aghast
|aghast by the news
|aghast spectators
Synonyms
horrified (Emphasizes fear and shock, often from something terrible or violent; very close in strength to "aghast.")
|
appalled (Stresses strong moral shock or disgust, especially at bad behavior or injustice.)
|
shocked (More general and common; can be weaker and used in many situations where "aghast" would be too strong.)
Antonyms
unmoved (Shows no emotional reaction, the opposite of being strongly shocked.)
|
unconcerned (Not worried or upset at all, contrasting with the intense reaction in "aghast.")
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Feeling very shocked and upset, as if something is very bad or terrible.
Feeling or showing sudden, strong shock, horror, or disgust, often because something is very bad or unexpected.
Grammar
Dictionary form
aghast
IPA
GB/əɡˈæst/
US/əɡˈæst/
Syllables & stress
aghast (1 syllable)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: aghast
Word family
Related words
ghastly
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
ghastliness
noun
Expressions
be aghast at
1/bˈi əɡˈæst ˈæt/
fixed phrase
Feel very shocked by something
To feel very shocked, upset, or full of horror because of something you see, hear, or learn.
Examples
- Many citizens were aghast at the government’s plan to cut funding for schools.
- She was aghast at how carelessly the company treated its workers.
- Environmental groups were aghast at the decision to clear the forest.
stand aghast
1/stˈænd əɡˈæst/
fixed phrase
literary
Stand frozen in shock or horror
To stand completely still because you feel very shocked or full of horror.
Examples
- The crowd stood aghast as the historic tower suddenly collapsed.
- We stood aghast, unable to move or speak as the news sank in.