What does appalled mean?
Appalled describes the state of being filled with horror, shock, or profound dismay, usually in reaction to something considered morally outrageous, cruel, or deeply distasteful. It functions almost exclusively as an adjective in modern English, most often appearing after a linking verb: people say they were 'appalled by', 'appalled at', or 'appalled to learn of' something. The word carries a distinctly ethical charge — one is not merely startled but offended in conscience, making it stronger than 'surprised' or even 'shocked'. Intensifying adverbs such as 'deeply', 'utterly', and 'absolutely' frequently accompany it, and it appears widely in journalism, public statements, and everyday complaint alike. Its history adds an evocative layer: it derives from an Old French verb meaning to grow pale, so to be appalled originally suggested being blanched with horror. That vivid origin survives in the word's force today, which is why writers reach for it when ordinary expressions of disapproval seem inadequate.
adjectiveStruck with horror, shock, or strong dismay, especially by something morally outrageous or deeply unpleasant.
- Filled with horror, shock, or strong moral outrage at something seen, heard, or learned.
"She was appalled by the conditions in which the animals were kept."
"Residents were appalled to discover the historic building had been demolished overnight."
"He was appalled at how casually his colleagues dismissed the safety concerns."
To be 'appalled' literally means to have been turned pale — the word comes from an Old French verb meaning 'to blanch' with fear.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of appalled
The word traces back through Middle English to the Old French verb 'apalir', meaning 'to grow pale or blanch', formed on the Latin root 'pallere', 'to be pale'. In its earliest English use, 'appall' meant to make someone pale with fear or to deprive of courage. Over time the sense shifted from the physical symptom of terror to the emotion itself, so that 'appalled' now denotes horrified dismay without any literal change of complexion. It shares this Latin ancestry with words such as 'pale', 'pallid', and 'pallor'.
Related word forms
How appalled is actually used
Almost always used predicatively ('she was appalled') rather than attributively ('an appalled look' is rare). It carries a strong connotation of moral indignation as well as shock — one is typically appalled by cruelty, corruption, or squalor rather than by mere surprise. Common intensifiers include 'deeply', 'utterly', and 'absolutely'.
Easily confused with appalled
'Appealed' means made an earnest request or petition, while 'appalled' means filled with horror or dismay — they differ by only one letter but are unrelated in meaning.