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appalling

adjective

/əˈpɔ lɪŋ/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of appalling

Shockingly bad, deeply distressing, or morally repugnant.
"The conditions in the overcrowded prison were appalling, with inmates living in squalor and filth."

Detailed meaning of appalling

When we encounter something appalling, it evokes a strong sense of horror, disgust, or disbelief due to its extreme nature or severe consequences. Appalling situations or actions go beyond mere disappointment or dissatisfaction; they provoke a profound emotional response, leaving us dismayed or appalled by the sheer magnitude or depravity of what we have witnessed. The word "appalling" carries a weight of negativity and condemnation, encapsulating the essence of something truly abhorrent, outrageous, or offensive. It serves as a powerful descriptor to express the gravity and profound impact of a deeply unsettling or morally objectionable occurrence.

Example sentences containing appalling

1. The conditions in the overcrowded refugee camp were appalling.
2. His behavior towards his employees was nothing short of appalling.
3. The news of the disaster was utterly appalling.
4. The pollution in the river reached an appalling level.
5. She found the treatment of animals in the factory farm appalling.
6. The company's lack of ethics was truly appalling.

History and etymology of appalling

The adjective 'appalling' is derived from the verb 'appall,' which has its etymological roots in the Middle English word 'appallen.' This term, in turn, is believed to have been influenced by the Old French word 'apalir,' which means 'to make pale' or 'to grow pale.' The connection between becoming pale and the adjective 'appalling' lies in the profound emotional and physical reactions that shockingly bad, deeply distressing, or morally repugnant situations or events can evoke. When confronted with something appalling, people often experience such a strong emotional response that it figuratively drains the color from their faces. Therefore, the etymology of 'appalling' underscores the shocking and distressing nature of the situations or events it describes, where the intensity of one's emotional reaction is deeply unsettling.

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Further usage examples of appalling

1. The child abuse case was a truly appalling tragedy.
2. The student's disrespect for the teacher's authority was appalling.
3. The restaurant's sanitation violations were absolutely appalling.
4. The public was appalled by the politician's scandalous actions.
5. The damage caused by the hurricane was truly appalling.
6. The video footage of the accident was deeply appalling.
7. The racial discrimination in the workplace was appalling.
8. The lack of access to clean water in some regions is appalling.
9. The extent of the corruption in the government is truly appalling.
10. The criminal's heinous acts were absolutely appalling.
11. The child's suffering from neglect was deeply appalling.
12. The level of poverty in the area is nothing short of appalling.
13. The human rights abuses in the conflict were appalling.
14. The appalling conditions in the prison were widely condemned.
15. The results of the environmental study were appalling, revealing extensive pollution and irreversible damage to the ecosystem.
16. The child abuse case was appalling, with heartbreaking accounts of neglect and violence against innocent children.
17. The customer service at that restaurant was appalling; the staff was rude and unhelpful.
18. The lack of access to clean water in the impoverished village was appalling, leading to widespread illness and suffering.
19. The dictator's human rights record was appalling, marked by systematic oppression, torture, and disappearances.
20. The news of the school shooting was appalling, leaving the community in a state of shock and grief.
21. The company's disregard for workplace safety was appalling, resulting in multiple accidents and injuries.
22. The documentary exposed the appalling conditions in factory farms, highlighting the cruelty and inhumane treatment of animals.
23. The politician's racist remarks were appalling, drawing widespread condemnation and calls for their resignation.
24. The levels of corruption in the government were appalling, as officials embezzled public funds meant for essential services.