appalled

USAGE SUMMARY

'appalled' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express shock or disbelief at something. Example sentence: I was appalled by the state of the environment in the city.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was appalled.

The New York Times

He even broached US labour rights in 2000's Bread And Roses, no doubt appalled by Hollywood's lack of interest.

The Guardian - Film

She said: "Consumers will be appalled to learn that ministers have repeatedly failed to take any action to tackle the alarming levels of campylobacter in supermarket chicken.

The Guardian

The victims' commissioner, Lady Newlove, whose husband, Garry, was killed by a gang vandalising his car, said: "I'm appalled by this disgraceful act of violence – my thoughts go out to the victim's family and friends at this time.

The Guardian

Victorian society was appalled and Rae was denounced, with his chief persecutor, Charles Dickens, claiming that Rae had no right to believe "a race of savages".

The Guardian

The civilised world is appalled by the cruel, degrading and cold-blooded execution of Troy Davis (Report, 22 September).

The Guardian

She wrote: "People across the whole country will be appalled that anybody would try to link a proposed corporate takeover with the horrific crime of rape.

The Guardian

Onlookers were astonished, delighted, appalled, according to temperament and party.

The Guardian

But Jamie Stewart, Scotland director for the Countryside Alliance, disputed the nature of the footage, telling the Guardian: "Having viewed the footage, I am appalled that the League Against Cruel Sports is wasting the Scottish government's time with what is at best subjective and at worst contrived".

The Guardian

Anyone who cares about the health of our democracy should be appalled by today's Guardian exclusive.

The Guardian - Opinion

In battered brown folders, sheaves of letters urge Edward Heath's government to take action against Pinochet – letters from an elderly couple in Leicester, "an appalled family" from London, from academics, students, Labour party branches and the "Bath Women's Liberation Front".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appalled", ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the feeling. Be specific about the source of the shock or dismay to enhance the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "appalled" for minor disappointments or disagreements. It's a strong word that should be reserved for situations that genuinely evoke shock, disgust or horror. Using it too casually dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "appalled" is as an adjective, typically used to describe someone's emotional state. It can also function as the past participle of the verb "appall", indicating a state of being shocked or horrified. Ludwig AI confirms this with its examples showcasing usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "appalled" is a versatile adjective used to express a strong negative reaction of shock and disgust. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in News & Media. While alternatives like "horrified" or "shocked" exist, "appalled" conveys a specific intensity. Remember to reserve it for genuinely shocking or disturbing situations to maintain its impact and avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

horrified

Similar in conveying a strong feeling of shock and disgust, but may imply a greater degree of fear.

shocked

Indicates a sudden surprise and dismay, potentially less intense than "appalled".

horrified and disgusted

Combines two strong emotions to amplify the sense of shock and revulsion.

dismayed

Suggests disappointment and discouragement, which might be a milder form of being "appalled".

outraged

Emphasizes anger and indignation, focusing on the injustice or wrongness of the situation.

disgusted

Highlights the feeling of revulsion and strong disapproval.

aghast

Implies a feeling of great shock, horror or astonishment.

sickened

Focuses on the physical feeling of revulsion, implying something deeply disturbing.

repulsed

Conveys a strong feeling of aversion and rejection.

scandalized

Specifically refers to being shocked by something considered morally wrong or inappropriate.

FAQs

How do you use "appalled" in a sentence?

You can use "appalled" to describe someone's strong negative reaction to something. For example, "I was appalled by the level of pollution in the city." It conveys a sense of shock and disgust.

What can I say instead of "appalled"?

You can use alternatives like "horrified", "shocked", or "dismayed" depending on the specific context and the intensity of the feeling you want to express.

Which is correct, "appalled at" or "appalled by"?

Both "appalled at" and "appalled by" are correct, but "appalled by" is more commonly used. For example, "I was appalled by the decision" is more frequent than "I was appalled at the decision".

What's the difference between "appalled" and "disappointed"?

"Appalled" conveys a much stronger negative reaction than "disappointed". While "disappointed" suggests a feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction, "appalled" implies a sense of shock, disgust, and moral outrage.