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aghast

adjective

/əˈɡɑːst/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of aghast

Filled with shock or disbelief, often accompanied by horror or dismay.
"She was aghast at the rudeness of the man who pushed past her without an apology."

Detailed meaning of aghast

It is used to describe a person who is deeply startled, frightened or horrified by something unexpected or deeply disturbing. When someone is aghast, they may have an expression of shock or dismay on their face, and may be speechless or at a loss for words. Aghast can be used to describe a person's reaction to something they have seen, heard or experienced. It can also be used to describe a person's emotional state after a traumatic event. For example, one may be aghast after learning about a tragic accident or a devastating natural disaster. Aghast can also be used to describe an inanimate object that is surprised or dismayed, such as an aghast statue or aghast building.

Example sentences containing aghast

1. She was aghast when she saw the damage to her car after the accident.
2. The news of the natural disaster left the entire town aghast.
3. His aghast expression revealed the shocking truth of the situation.
4. The audience was aghast at the unexpected plot twist in the movie.
5. She stood aghast, unable to comprehend the scale of the tragedy.
6. The teacher was aghast at the students' lack of respect in class.

History and etymology of aghast

The adjective 'aghast,' used to describe a state of shock, disbelief, horror, or dismay, has a fascinating etymology rooted in the English language. Its origins can be traced back to Middle English, where it was derived from two Old English words: 'a-' meaning 'completely' or 'intensely,' and 'gǣstan' meaning 'to terrify' or 'to frighten.' Over time, these components merged to form 'aghast,' which perfectly encapsulates the profound and overwhelming sense of astonishment or fear that can leave a person momentarily stunned or paralyzed. This word has remained in use for centuries, serving as a vivid descriptor for those moments when something so shocking or horrifying occurs that it leaves people utterly speechless and bewildered.

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Further usage examples of aghast

1. His aghast reaction to the prank was captured on camera.
2. We were all aghast when the fire alarm went off in the middle of the night.
3. The team was aghast when they learned about the last-minute rule change.
4. The aghast crowd watched as the building crumbled to the ground.
5. She was aghast when she received the astronomically high bill.
6. The politician's scandalous behavior left the public aghast.
7. Their aghast faces mirrored the shock of the unexpected announcement.
8. He was aghast to discover that his favorite restaurant had closed.
9. The aghast hikers stumbled upon a grisly scene in the woods.
10. Her aghast expression said it all when she saw the disastrous makeover.
11. The entire courtroom was aghast at the defendant's confession.
12. The aghast onlookers watched as the tornado approached their town.
13. His aghast reaction to the ghostly apparition was captured in the photo.
14. The aghast reaction to the tragic accident was palpable in the room.
15. She was aghast at the amount of litter on the beach, ruining the natural beauty of the shoreline.
16. The audience was aghast when the magician seemingly made the volunteer disappear.
17. The parents were aghast when they saw the state of their child's room, which looked like it had been hit by a tornado.
18. As an animal lover, he was aghast at the inhumane conditions at the roadside zoo.
19. The teacher was aghast when she realized that none of the students had done the homework.
20. When the famous actress entered the room, her fans were aghast at how stunning she looked in person.
21. The museum curator was aghast at the thought of such a priceless artifact being handled carelessly.
22. The coach was aghast when the star player missed an easy shot that would have won the game.
23. The townspeople were aghast when they learned about the mayor's involvement in the scandal.
24. The chef was aghast when he discovered that someone had used all the ingredients he needed for the special dish.
25. The gardener was aghast to find that rabbits had eaten all the vegetables he had painstakingly grown.
26. She was aghast when she heard the news of the tragedy.