be appalled by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be appalled by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing shock or dismay at something considered wrong or unacceptable. Example: "Many people were appalled by the decision to cut funding for the arts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Any decent human being will be appalled by Putin's hateful legislation, so let's agree that we start from the same stance on LGBT rights.

The Guardian - Opinion

Kesey's father would, I suspect, be appalled by it.

The New York Times - Books

I thought she must be appalled by me.

The New Yorker

"There are so many things you would be appalled by," he said.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian - Opinion

Rep. Virginia Foxx must be appalled by Mr. Gingrich's debt load.

The New York Times

Held is said to be appalled by Saif's "last bullet" speech.

The Guardian

We were too young to be appalled by any of the wider implications then.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Some people will be appalled by it but they don't seem bothered," he said.

The Guardian

That the families of the victims should be appalled by this outcome is obvious.

The New York Times

The prime minister, David Cameron, was said to be "appalled" by the ugly scenes.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be appalled by" when you want to express a strong negative reaction to something you find morally wrong, shockingly bad, or deeply offensive.

Common error

Avoid using "be appalled by" in situations where a milder form of disapproval is more appropriate. The phrase carries a strong emotional weight and can sound overdramatic if the situation doesn't warrant it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be appalled by" functions as a verb phrase expressing a strong emotional reaction of shock, disgust, and disapproval. It describes a state of feeling deeply offended or morally outraged by something. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be appalled by" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express strong disapproval, shock, or disgust. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While effective for conveying strong emotions, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overdramatic in neutral situations. Alternatives such as "be shocked by", "be disgusted by", or "be outraged by" can offer nuanced ways to express disapproval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be shocked by

Focuses more on the immediate surprise or disbelief.

be disgusted by

Emphasizes a feeling of revulsion or strong dislike.

be outraged by

Highlights anger and indignation.

find unacceptable

Emphasizes a lack of tolerance or approval.

be horrified by

Indicates intense fear or shock.

deplore

A more formal term expressing strong disapproval.

be offended by

Focuses on personal hurt or insult.

be repulsed by

Highlights a feeling of strong aversion.

take exception to

A more polite way of expressing disagreement or disapproval.

view with disapproval

A formal way to express negative judgment.

FAQs

What does "be appalled by" mean?

To "be appalled by" something means to be shocked and disgusted by it, often due to moral or ethical reasons. It indicates a strong negative reaction to something considered deeply wrong or unacceptable.

How to use "be appalled by" in a sentence?

You can use "be appalled by" to express your strong disapproval or shock towards something. For example: "Many people were "appalled by" the government's decision."

What can I say instead of "be appalled by"?

You can use alternatives like "be shocked by", "be disgusted by", or "be outraged by" depending on the context. These phrases express similar sentiments of strong disapproval or shock.

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

"Appalled by" is the correct and more common usage. "Appalled with" is less frequent and generally not preferred. It's best to stick with ""appalled by"".