adjective

aghast

aghast, horrified, shocked

She was aghast at the terrible news.

She was horrified by the terrible news.

He stood aghast at the scene of the accident.

He stood shocked at the scene of the accident.

((to be)) aghast ((at sth.)) to be filled with horror or shock at (sth.) She was aghast at the terrible news.

Synonyms: horrified, shocked, appalled, stunned; Antonyms: calm, composed, unfazed

From Middle English 'agasten' (to frighten), from 'a-' (intensive prefix) + 'gasten' (to frighten), related to 'ghost'.

Imagine seeing a 'ghost' - you would be 'aghast'.

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