APPALL Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'appall' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of appall are daunt , dismay , and horrify . While all these words mean "to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion," appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks. // I am appalled by your behavior

Q: When can 'daunt' be used instead of 'appall'?

The meanings of daunt and appall largely overlap; however, daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage. // a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

Q: When is it sensible to use 'dismay' instead of 'appall'?

The words dismay and appall can be used in similar contexts, but dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something. // dismayed at the size of the job

Q: In what contexts can 'horrify' take the place of 'appall'?

In some situations, the words horrify and appall are roughly equivalent. However, horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion. // was horrified by such wanton cruelty

appall

verb

ə-ˈpȯl

variants also appal

Definition of appall

as in to shock

to cause an unpleasant surprise for conditions inside the house overrun with cats simply appalled animal control officers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How does the verb appall contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of appall are daunt, dismay, and horrify. While all these words mean "to unnerve or deter by arousing fear, apprehension, or aversion," appall implies that one is faced with that which perturbs, confounds, or shocks.

I am appalled by your behavior

When can daunt be used instead of appall?

The meanings of daunt and appall largely overlap; however, daunt suggests a cowing, disheartening, or frightening in a venture requiring courage.

a cliff that would daunt the most intrepid climber

When is it sensible to use dismay instead of appall?

The words dismay and appall can be used in similar contexts, but dismay implies that one is disconcerted and at a loss as to how to deal with something.

dismayed at the size of the job

In what contexts can horrify take the place of appall?

In some situations, the words horrify and appall are roughly equivalent. However, horrify stresses a reaction of horror or revulsion.

was horrified by such wanton cruelty

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of appall Even if the company still had footage of what had happened, she was appalled by the idea of anyone watching it. — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 The tennis world was appalled by Atmane’s behavior, with some fans taking to social media to call for him to be banned from the sport. — Ryan Canfield Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2026 My family visited Paris in the summer of 2019, and although we were infatuated by the city’s beauty, we were appalled at how immigrants were allowed to fester on the streets and harass tourists like us. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026 Francis said she was appalled upon learning the result of the appeal two days into the current semester. — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026 Smith died at the age of ninety-four in 2017, having seen many years of the internet gossip reporting that came after her and having been appalled by it. — Lindsey Weber, Vanity Fair, 28 Sep. 2026 The cast, who had been supportive of Paul’s controversy and mental-health struggles before the cancellation, were appalled at a video leaked in March of Paul throwing a stool at her ex, Dakota Mortensen, that almost hit her young daughter. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026 Mansur, who desperately longs to be reunited with his own mother, is appalled. — Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026 Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s ongoing satirical series at first appalled many viewers with its resolute political incorrectness and penchant for four-letter words from the mouths of babes, and that was nowhere more evident than in Cartman himself. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for appall

Verb

The couple had previously seen a single owl on an apartment windowsill a few days earlier and were shocked even then, Williams recalled.

— Joseph B. Frederick, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026
What shocked him was how unregulated—and unsophisticated—the rental market seemed.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of shock

Verb

The incident Monday afternoon sparked horrified reactions on social media as eyewitnesses shared their experiences online.

— Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Henry’s horrified too, but my guy’s also confused because instead of really feeling for what her husband has been through, Julia is cold and distant.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of horrify

Verb

View gallery - 7 images Chinese automotive giant BYD, now the world’s biggest electric vehicle (EV) maker, stunned this week’s Paris Motor Show with its grandest and most technologically impressive vehicle yet.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
The man was arrested and sent to prison while Ali was in college, which left the actor stunned.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of stun

Verb

Douglas admitted that his father’s behavior left him and brother Joel frightened.

— Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
At the very start of the pandemic, while most Americans were hunkered down, frightened for their lives and worried about job loss, RealPage hosted a virtual pep talk for landlords.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of frighten

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“Appall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appall. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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