appalling look

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appalling look" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone's appearance or expression that is shocking or disturbing. For example, "Her appalling look made everyone in the room uncomfortable." Alternative expressions include "horrifying appearance" and "shocking expression."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Social Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But they offer a revealing — and appalling — look at the mind-set of one of our two major political parties.

The New York Times

"I'm not a political person who'll stand up and go, 'This is appalling, look at all these people dying alone,'" he says, picking up his scissors and returning to carving up his life for our entertainment.

The Guardian

Mel Greaves, the director of the Leukemia Research Fund Center for Cell and Molecular Biology at the Institute of Cancer Research in London, gives a fascinating and sometimes appalling look at why one out of three humans will face a diagnosis of cancer at some time.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

First, if you find the concept of Bag Week appalling (looking at you, achshar), read no further.

TechCrunch

If you want something to blame for the appalling weather, look up as you raise your umbrella and imagine that high above the rain clouds a great river of wind is flowing through the upper atmosphere.

BBC

The League has survived legal challenges to this rule but understands how appalling it looks.

The Guardian - Sport

The classic Bombay talkie uses a script of appalling corniness, looks by turns tawdry and vulgar, or else both at once, and relies on the mass appeal of its stars and its musical numbers to provide a little zing.

The New Yorker

If used too often it can look appalling and make the viewer feel sick.

WikiHow

It was just that it looked appalling.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"People can't run rampant around London, but it [the footage] is appalling … it looks ghastly.

The Guardian

May the Steelers continue to trounce the Cards, they were always whipping boys in my day and if they're good now who is supposed to stop the Saints looking appalling.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In metaphorical contexts, use it to introduce a deep dive into a negative or disturbing subject, such as a report on poor conditions.

Common error

Do not confuse "appalling look" with an "appalled look". An "appalling look" describes something that is shocking to others (the object), while an "appalled look" describes the expression of someone who is currently experiencing shock (the subject).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appalling look" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "appalling" modifies the noun "look". In the examples provided by Ludwig, it is often used as a direct object to describe the nature of a report, a visual state or a specific expression. Ludwig AI confirms that this construction adheres to standard English grammatical rules for qualitative description.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Social Media

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appalling look" is a powerful linguistic tool for conveying extreme disapproval or shock regarding an appearance, expression or investigative insight. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is a staple of high-quality journalism, often used to introduce disturbing facts or to critique social conditions. The key distinction to maintain is between this phrase and an "appalled look", as the former describes the shocking object while the latter describes the shocked subject. Overall, Ludwig AI identifies this as a correct and highly effective phrase for emphasizing the gravity of negative situations across various media registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

horrifying appearance

Places a stronger emphasis on physical or visual shock

ghastly expression

Focuses specifically on the face and a pale or death-like quality

dreadful sight

Broadens the scope to a larger scene rather than just a specific look

shocking countenance

A more formal and literary way to describe a facial expression

atrocious style

Used when the disapproval is specifically related to fashion or aesthetics

distressing overview

Used when look refers to an analytical summary or insight

repulsive look

Connotes a sense of visceral physical disgust

grievous display

Focuses on the public or formal nature of the appearance

abysmal view

Suggests a perspective or visual that is extremely low in quality

hideous aspect

Lends a more physical and structural sense to the visual disapproval

FAQs

What can I say instead of "appalling look"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "horrifying appearance", "shocking expression", or "dreadful sight".

How do I use "appalling look" in a sentence?

It can function as a noun phrase in various positions. For example: "The documentary provided an "appalling look" at the corruption within the department."

Is "appalling look" formal enough for a research paper?

While correct, it is highly emotive. In academic writing, you might prefer a more objective phrase like "distressing overview" or "concerning observation".

What is the difference between an "appalling look" and a "horrific look"?

An "appalling look" usually implies a moral or qualitative failure that causes outrage, whereas a "horrific look" often implies something physically frightening or gruesome.