appalling
6 synonyms for appalling, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Shockingly bad or unpleasant; horrifying.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
dismaying
How to use appalling
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
appalling conditions
appalling behavior
absolutely appalling
Etymology
From "appall" plus "-ing," ultimately from Old French apalir, "to grow pale."
Full origin of appalling →Frequently asked questions
What does “appalling” mean?
The word “appalling” means shockingly bad or unpleasant; horrifying. In plain terms, extremely bad, shocking, or upsetting.
How do you pronounce “appalling”?
“Appalling” is pronounced uh-PAW-lihng (/əˈpɔːlɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “appalling” in a sentence?
Here is “appalling” used in a sentence: “The hotel room was in an appalling state of disrepair.”
What is another word for “appalling”?
Words with a similar meaning to “appalling” include awful, grotesque, horrid, hideous and terrible.
What part of speech is “appalling”?
“Appalling” is an adjective.
Where does the word “appalling” come from?
The word “appalling” comes from Old French. From "appall" plus "-ing," ultimately from Old French apalir, "to grow pale.".
Is “appalling” a common word?
“Appalling” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
