verb

appall

to appall, to horrify, to shock

The news of the disaster appalled everyone.

The news of the disaster appalled everyone.

I was appalled by the conditions I saw.

I was appalled by the conditions I saw.

((sb.)) to greatly dismay or horrify (sb.) The news of the disaster appalled everyone.

Synonyms: horrify, shock, dismay; Antonyms: please, delight

From Old French 'apalir', meaning 'to grow pale'. Imagine someone turning pale from shock.

Think of something so awful it makes you go 'pale'. The word contains 'pall', which means to become pale.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.