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 As a graduate student and young mother in Israel, she had been appalled that her kids were being taught creationism in public school. — Daniel Brook, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026 The neighbors, who had till then lived in a conventional suburban setting — two-story colonials, wide lawns — were appalled. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 21 Oct. 2026 Rather than being appalled, Meisner was impressed, and McQueen became a serial student, studying with Uta Hagen and Lee Strasberg and building his resume in summer stock and television. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026 He was especially encouraged by conversations with current Cornell students, who said the campus needs more people who are appalled by the current news. — Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026 Lawmakers were appalled at the US seemingly dropping the ball on coming to Ukraine’s aid. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 15 Oct. 2026 Once inside the industry, Roper was appalled by how airlines set prices. — Literary Hub, 14 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for appall

Verb

The company has sought to significantly reduce costs in Africa since the MultiChoice buyout, with streamer Showmax discontinued earlier this year in a move that shocked the local industry.

— Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
At school the next day, students are still shocked by what happened.

— Olivia Young, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of shock

Verb

Alma Hernandez, board president of Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, said she was horrified by ICE’s actions.

— Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The incident Monday afternoon sparked horrified reactions on social media as eyewitnesses shared their experiences online.

— Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of horrify

Verb

Frelick tied the score with his first home run in three months, Pratt hit a go-ahead single in the seventh inning to make up for his earlier error and the Brewers stunned the Tampa Bay Rays 5-4 on Saturday night for a 2-0 World Series lead.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Short enough to read in a single sitting, Sara Gran’s chilling story of an architect succumbing to demonic possession will leave readers stunned and unsettled.

— David Faris, TheWeek, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of stun

Verb

For Cox and Walker, the challenge was to introduce horror-film conventions without frightening the franchise’s youngest viewers.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Guitarricadelafuente said he was initially frightened by the prospect of acting in La Bola Negra.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of frighten

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“Appall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/appall. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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