most appalling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "most appalling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the extreme nature of something that is shocking or horrifying. Example: "The conditions in the abandoned building were most appalling, with trash and debris scattered everywhere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both have committed the most appalling atrocities.

The Economist

That's the most appalling thing of all.

The New York Times

And excretes the most appalling emissions.

The Guardian - Books

The EDL is the most appalling organisation.

The Guardian

"It's the most appalling crime," he told reporters in Paris.

Independent

Rovena, says the friend, "knew the most appalling things..

The New Yorker

"We had six prime ministers and the most appalling governance.

The Guardian - Books

Rovena, says the friend, "knew the most appalling things...

The New Yorker

It was the most appalling waste of my life".

The Guardian

The single most appalling political statement of the year.

The Guardian - Opinion

By nine or ten, Macdonald had become, in her words, "the most appalling falconry bore".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "most appalling" to strongly emphasize the severity and shocking nature of a situation or event. It is particularly effective when describing something that elicits strong disapproval or horror.

Common error

Avoid using "most appalling" in everyday conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly dramatic or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "very bad" or "terrible" in less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "most appalling" functions as an intensifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to emphasize the extreme and shocking nature of the thing being described. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "most appalling" is an intensifying adjective phrase used to express strong shock, horror, or disapproval. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and common, particularly in news and media contexts. While effective for emphasizing severity, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic in informal settings. Alternatives like "utterly dreadful" or "absolutely horrifying" can provide similar emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly dreadful

Replaces "appalling" with "dreadful" and "most" with "utterly", intensifying the negative feeling.

absolutely horrifying

Substitutes "appalling" with "horrifying" and "most" with "absolutely" for a similar level of intensity.

extremely shocking

Replaces "appalling" with "shocking" and "most" with "extremely", conveying surprise and disapproval.

exceptionally dreadful

Uses "exceptionally" in place of "most" to highlight the extreme nature of something dreadful.

unbelievably awful

Replaces "appalling" with "awful" and "most" with "unbelievably", adding emphasis to the negative quality.

singularly atrocious

Replaces "appalling" with "atrocious" and "most" with "singularly", intensifying the negativity.

remarkably terrible

Uses "terrible" instead of "appalling" and "remarkably" instead of "most", indicating significant negativity.

truly outrageous

Substitutes "appalling" with "outrageous" and "most" with "truly" emphasizing the shocking nature.

completely unacceptable

Replaces "appalling" with "unacceptable" and "most" with "completely", focusing on the lack of permissibility.

thoroughly reprehensible

Replaces "appalling" with "reprehensible" and "most" with "thoroughly", highlighting moral objection.

FAQs

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

Use "most appalling" to describe something extremely shocking or horrifying. For example, "The living conditions were the most appalling I had ever seen."

What can I say instead of "most appalling"?

You can use alternatives like "utterly dreadful", "absolutely horrifying", or "extremely shocking" depending on the context.

Is "most appalling" a formal expression?

Yes, "most appalling" is generally considered a formal expression, suitable for news reports, academic papers, and other serious contexts. In casual conversation, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

What makes something "most appalling"?

Something described as "most appalling" is not just bad, but exceptionally shocking, horrifying, or disgusting. It goes beyond the ordinary and evokes a strong negative emotional response.