ENGLISH
REFERENCE

appalled

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //əˈpɔɫd// UK //ɐpˈɔːld// ap·palled

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'.


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.

Synonyms
Origin

From appall + -ed

Usage

Typically follows a linking verb and is followed by the prepositions 'by' or 'at'.

Pitfall

I was appalling by the newsI was appalled by the newsLearners often confuse the -ed adjective (describing a feeling) with the -ing adjective (describing the thing that causes the feeling).

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