appall
to make someone feel shocked and very upset
To shock and upset someone very much, often by something cruel, frightening, or very unpleasant.
to make someone feel strongly that something is wrong
To cause strong disgust or anger because something seems morally wrong or unacceptable.
to make someone lose courage (literary)
To make someone lose courage or hope; to dishearten.
- Base: appall
- 3rd Person Singular: appalls
- Present Participle: appalling
- Past: appalled
appall [someone] with [something]
1shock someone by something
to shock someone by showing or telling them something bad
- The documentary appalled audiences with graphic footage of the war.
- He appalled his friends with a string of racist jokes.
- The article appalled readers with its description of the abuse.
be appalled at/by [something]
1feel shocked and disgusted
to feel very shocked and upset about something
- I was appalled by the language in the comments section.
- She was appalled at the lack of basic hygiene in the kitchen.
- They were appalled by how little help arrived.
- I am appalled by the news.
- He was appalled at their behavior.
be appalled at/by [something]
1feel shocked and upset
to feel very shocked or upset about something
- She was appalled by the way he spoke to the waiter.
- They were appalled at the conditions in the shelter.
- I’m appalled by what I’ve just read.
- I was appalled by the story.
be appalled to hear/learn/see (that) ...
1react with shocked surprise
used when you feel very shocked by new information
- We were appalled to learn that the data had been leaked.
- She was appalled to hear that the dog had been left outside all night.
- I was appalled to see how much damage the fire caused.
- I was appalled to hear the news.
it appalls me that ...
1strong personal condemnation
used to say something makes you feel very shocked and upset
- It appalls me that people still deny basic medical facts.
- It appalls her that no one has apologized.
- It appalls them that the promises were so easily broken.
- It appalls me that he lied.