morally appalling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "morally appalling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions, behaviors, or situations that are considered to be deeply unethical or shocking from a moral standpoint. Example: "The decision to exploit vulnerable populations for profit is morally appalling and should be condemned by society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Dean Dunham, founder of consumer rights website youandyourrights.co.uk, said it was "morally appalling" that HMV's bosses continued to sell vouchers "when they would've known they were in trouble and going into administration, and they knew the first thing administrator would do would be to take them".

The Guardian - Business

Of all the illegal acts, it's not considered the most morally appalling or nefarious, yet it does have huge consequences for the retail industry.

Vice

These traits are significantly augmented in later seasons as his character evolves, and he begins to exhibit psychopathic and extremely manipulative behavior, and also be depicted as highly intelligent, able to execute morally appalling plans and business ideas with success.

Wikipedia

I believe that the incarceration rate in the U.S. (one of the highest in the world!) and the attitudes, agenda and policies that underlie it, are morally appalling, racist and socially destructive.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Even for a president whose administration has quickly earned a reputation for reckless and morally bankrupt policies, this appalling decision stands out, and the reaction both here and abroad has been withering.

Huffington Post

Mr. Morris finds some of the basis of her critique — that journalism itself is morally compromised and built on deception — appalling.

The New York Times - Books

Secondly, there are obvious counterexamples to this crude account morally appalling cases of letting die failing to feed one's children and morally acceptable cases of killing.

SEP

It's appalling — appalling.

The New York Times

Morally wrong".

The New York Times

Quite appalling.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Appalling stuff.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "morally appalling" to express strong disapproval and shock at actions that violate fundamental moral principles. Ensure the context clearly establishes the moral framework being violated.

Common error

Avoid using "morally appalling" to describe minor inconveniences or disagreements. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving significant ethical breaches and deep moral offense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "morally appalling" functions as an adjective phrase that strongly qualifies a noun, emphasizing the severe moral deficiency of the subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, it expresses a profound sense of ethical wrongdoing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "morally appalling" serves as a powerful descriptor for actions or situations that evoke strong moral disapproval. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, while its frequency is relatively rare, suggesting it's reserved for particularly egregious violations of ethical norms. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it conveys outrage and condemnation. For alternative expressions, consider "morally reprehensible" or "ethically outrageous". While impactful, it should be used judiciously to avoid diluting its significance in less severe situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

morally reprehensible

Replaces "appalling" with "reprehensible", indicating strong disapproval but potentially less shock.

ethically outrageous

Substitutes "morally" with "ethically" and "appalling" with "outrageous", highlighting a breach of ethical standards and provoking indignation.

morally indefensible

Uses "indefensible" instead of "appalling", suggesting that the action cannot be justified from a moral standpoint.

utterly disgraceful

Replaces the moral aspect with a focus on the shamefulness and unacceptability of the action.

deeply unethical

Emphasizes the lack of ethical principles, moving away from the immediate shock factor.

morally objectionable

Replaces "appalling" with "objectionable", indicating that the action is unacceptable or offensive to moral principles.

despicable act

Focuses on the act itself as being deserving of contempt and disgust, removing the direct moral judgment as an adjective.

morally repugnant

Emphasizes the disgust and aversion that the action provokes, suggesting it is deeply offensive.

patently immoral

Highlights the obvious and undeniable lack of moral principles, making it clear that the action is wrong.

shockingly unethical

Combines the element of surprise with the breach of ethical standards, indicating a profound sense of disbelief.

FAQs

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

You can use "morally appalling" to describe actions or situations that are deeply unethical or shocking. For example: "The company's decision to prioritize profit over safety was "morally appalling"."

What are some alternatives to saying "morally appalling"?

Alternatives include "morally reprehensible", "ethically outrageous", or "morally indefensible", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "morally appalling" a formal or informal expression?

"Morally appalling" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is generally reserved for situations where a strong expression of moral disapproval is warranted.

What makes something "morally appalling" as opposed to simply wrong?

Something that is "morally appalling" evokes a sense of shock, disgust, and outrage due to its violation of fundamental moral principles. It goes beyond a simple mistake or error in judgment.