Word
appalled
Phoneticsap·palled, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈpɔɫd/
UK/ɐpˈɔːld/
Definition
adj. feeling very shocked and angry because something is extremely bad or unfair.
adj. feeling great dismay, shock, or horror at something perceived as deeply offensive or morally wrong. Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'feel', or 'look'.
Examples
“I am appalled by the way they treat their staff.”
“The public was appalled to learn that the historic library would be demolished to make room for a parking lot.”
“While some critics were merely disappointed by the film's lack of depth, others were genuinely appalled by its insensitive portrayal of the recent humanitarian crisis.”
Examples
simple
“I am appalled by the way they treat their staff.”
contextual
“The public was appalled to learn that the historic library would be demolished to make room for a parking lot.”
complex
“While some critics were merely disappointed by the film's lack of depth, others were genuinely appalled by its insensitive portrayal of the recent humanitarian crisis.”
Usage
Typically follows a linking verb and is followed by the prepositions 'by' or 'at'.
Pitfall
I was appalling by the news
I was appalled by the news
Learners often confuse the -ed adjective (describing a feeling) with the -ing adjective (describing the thing that causes the feeling).
Real-World Examples
“In a post on Facebook on Friday, the Clacton MP said Ofcom was now investigating and that he was "appalled at the way various members of my family have been treated".” “The British musician added that he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine”.” Etymology
From appall + -ed
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/appalled