completely appalling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely appalling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong disapproval or shock regarding a situation, action, or behavior. Example: "The conditions in the shelter were completely appalling, and immediate action was needed to improve them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Completely appalling.

The New York Times

And I think that's completely appalling".

The Guardian

"What is happening in Homs is completely appalling," he said.

Independent

When Abraham again dodged giving a direct apology, she added: "I find that completely appalling".

The Guardian

The US secretary of state, John Kerry, said it was "chilling and draconian", with David Cameron condemning the verdict as "completely appalling".

The Guardian

He is completely appalling, and also completely himself, a kind of mad, disturbing integrity that is both matched and mitigated by the honesty of this lovely, hair-raising film".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"I find it all appalling.

The New York Times - Sports

All appalling.

Vice

"It's appalling, completely and utterly appalling," she said.

The New York Times

"We are deeply distressed by the completely unacceptable and appalling behaviour of a small number of our employees at one of our facilities," it said.

The Guardian

Bruce Calderwood, director of mental health, disability and equality at the Department of Health, said the episode described by Cooper was "completely unacceptable, just appalling".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely appalling" to express strong disapproval or shock when describing situations, actions, or behaviors that are exceptionally bad or unacceptable. This phrase is suitable for conveying intense negative feelings.

Common error

Avoid using "completely appalling" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it may sound overly dramatic or pretentious. Opt for simpler, more conversational alternatives like "really bad" or "awful" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely appalling" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a strong negative evaluation. It intensifies the adjective "appalling", indicating an extreme degree of horribleness or unacceptability. Ludwig shows examples across various contexts where this phrase is used to convey strong disapproval.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completely appalling" is a potent adjectival phrase used to convey extreme disapproval or shock. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent use in news and media contexts. While effective in expressing intense negative sentiment, it should be used judiciously, avoiding overuse in informal settings where simpler alternatives may be more appropriate. The phrase functions to strongly condemn something and persuade others to share that view, making it a valuable tool in persuasive communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly dreadful

Changes the adjective to 'dreadful', emphasizing the unpleasantness and lack of quality.

absolutely horrifying

Replaces 'appalling' with 'horrifying', highlighting the shocking and fear-inducing nature of the situation.

totally unacceptable

Shifts the focus to the lack of acceptability rather than the shocking nature.

thoroughly reprehensible

Uses 'reprehensible' to underscore the moral condemnation of the action or situation.

downright atrocious

Emphasizes the extremely poor quality or shockingly bad nature of something.

simply outrageous

Focuses on the offensiveness and unacceptability of something.

wholly objectionable

Highlights the characteristic of being something to which exception may be taken.

patently awful

Uses 'awful' to describe something very bad or unpleasant.

plainly disgraceful

Emphasizes the scandalous and shameful nature of something.

unforgivably bad

Indicates the severity of something being unacceptable and not to be excused.

FAQs

What does "completely appalling" mean?

The phrase "completely appalling" means something is utterly shocking, horrifying, or extremely bad. It expresses a strong sense of disapproval or disgust.

How can I use "completely appalling" in a sentence?

You can use "completely appalling" to describe a situation, action, or behavior you find extremely offensive or unacceptable. For example, "The conditions they were living in were "completely appalling"."

What are some alternatives to "completely appalling"?

Alternatives include "utterly dreadful", "absolutely horrifying", or "totally unacceptable". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "completely appalling" in formal writing?

Yes, "completely appalling" is appropriate for formal writing when you want to express strong disapproval or shock, particularly in contexts where a serious tone is required. However, consider the impact and ensure it aligns with the overall message.