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C2 noun #9,000 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

appal

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces appal en 30 secondes
Explication appal in your Level:
The word 'appal' is a very advanced word, and you probably won't use it yet. It means to make someone feel very, very shocked or sad because something is very bad. Imagine seeing someone being very mean to a small animal; you would feel 'appalled'. It is a much stronger word than 'sad' or 'angry'. At this level, just remember that it describes a very big, bad surprise that makes you feel sick or unhappy. You might see it in books when a character is really shocked by something mean that happened. Don't worry about using it in your own speaking yet, but know that it is a 'big' word for a 'big' bad feeling.
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At the A2 level, you can start to understand 'appal' as a word for 'extreme shock'. It is a verb, which means it's an action. If something 'appals' you, it makes you feel like you can't believe how bad it is. For example, if you see a lot of trash in a beautiful park, it might appal you. It is more formal than 'I don't like it'. Usually, we use it as 'I am appalled by...' or 'It is appalling'. It is used for things that are not just mistakes, but things that are morally wrong or very poor quality. It's like saying 'this is so bad it makes me feel shocked'.
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For B1 learners, 'appal' is a useful word to express strong disapproval. It's a step up from 'horrify' or 'shock'. When you use 'appal', you are saying that something has offended your sense of what is right and wrong. It is often used when talking about news, politics, or social issues. For instance, 'The news of the war appalled the whole world'. You will often see the adjective form 'appalling' used to describe conditions, like 'appalling weather' or 'appalling living conditions'. Remember that in British English it has one 'l' at the end, but in American English, it has two.
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At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'appal' to describe reactions to serious situations. It is a transitive verb, so you can say 'The violence appalled her'. It is also very common in the passive voice: 'We were appalled at the lack of help from the government'. At this level, you should distinguish it from 'dismay' (which is more about feeling discouraged) and 'disgust' (which is more about physical revulsion). 'Appal' is specifically about a shock that comes from a moral or qualitative failure. It is a great word for formal essays or debates where you want to show strong, reasoned indignation.
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C1 learners should master the nuance of 'appal' as a tool for moral condemnation. It is a word that carries significant weight and should be used sparingly for maximum effect. You should be familiar with its collocations, such as 'utterly appalled', 'deeply appalled', or 'appalled by the sheer audacity'. You should also understand its etymological connection to 'pale', which describes the physical reaction of the face losing color due to shock. Using 'appal' in your writing demonstrates a sophisticated vocabulary and an ability to express complex emotional responses to societal or ethical failures. It is particularly effective in critiques and persuasive writing.
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At the C2 level, 'appal' is part of a precise toolkit for expressing high-level disapproval. You should be able to use it in various syntactic structures and recognize its subtle differences from words like 'revolt', 'scandalize', or 'nauseate'. You understand that 'appal' implies a breach of a fundamental standard—whether that standard is moral, professional, or aesthetic. You can use it to describe the visceral reaction to a profound injustice or the intellectual shock at a massive failure of logic or quality. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's gravity, ensuring it is never used for the trivial, but always for the truly significant.
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

appal en 30 secondes

  • Appal is a strong verb meaning to shock or horrify someone deeply, often due to a moral failing or extremely poor quality in a situation.
  • It originates from the idea of turning pale with fear, highlighting the physical and visceral nature of the emotional reaction it describes.
  • Commonly used in formal contexts like journalism, politics, and literature to express intense indignation and a sense of profound disapproval or dismay.
  • It is a C2-level word, meaning it is highly sophisticated and should be used for significant matters rather than minor daily annoyances or inconveniences.
The word appal is a powerful verb that describes a profound emotional reaction, specifically one of deep shock, intense horror, or significant dismay. When something appals you, it doesn't just annoy or upset you; it strikes at your core sense of morality, ethics, or standards. It is often used in contexts where someone witnesses or hears about an act that is so cruel, unjust, or poorly executed that it leaves them feeling sickened or profoundly disappointed. The term is deeply rooted in the idea of turning pale with fear or shock, which helps visualize the physical reaction associated with the word. In modern usage, it is frequently employed by critics, political commentators, and individuals expressing outrage over social injustices or catastrophic failures in quality.
Etymological Root
Derived from the Old French 'apalir', meaning to grow pale, which perfectly captures the physical draining of color from a person's face when they are truly shocked.
Moral Weight
Unlike simple surprise, to appal implies a judgment of 'wrongness' or 'reprehensibility'. It is a word of condemnation.

The conditions in the overcrowded refugee camp would appal anyone with a shred of humanity.

It may appal the modern reader to learn how common child labor was in the 19th century.

Spelling Note
In British English, the spelling is 'appal', whereas in American English, it is usually spelled 'appall'. Both are correct in their respective regions.

The total lack of security at the event will appal the safety inspectors.

The sheer scale of the environmental destruction is enough to appal even the most stoic observers.

Emotional Depth
The word evokes a sense of paralysis or being 'struck dumb' by the gravity of a situation.

Does it not appal you that so many people are still without clean water?

To appal is to trigger a visceral reaction. It is a word used by those who hold high standards and find them being trampled upon. Whether it's the 'appalling' behavior of a public figure or the 'appalling' state of a derelict building, the word carries a heavy weight of disapproval. It is a staple in the vocabulary of advocacy, journalism, and high-level debate where the stakes of human dignity and professional excellence are paramount. When using 'appal', you are signaling that a line has been crossed that should never have been approached.
Using the word appal correctly requires an understanding of its transitive nature. It is something that an object or situation *does* to a person. You can say 'The news appalled me' or 'I was appalled by the news'. It is very common to see it in the passive voice, paired with the prepositions 'by' or 'at'. For instance, 'She was appalled at the cost of the repairs'. The active voice, however, is often more dramatic and direct: 'The cruelty of the regime will appal future generations'.
Active Voice Usage
The subject is the thing that causes the shock. 'The graphic images appal the viewers.'
Passive Voice Usage
The subject is the person feeling the shock. 'I am appalled by your behavior.'

The blatant disregard for safety regulations will appal any professional engineer.

It didn't just surprise him; the sheer waste of resources began to appal him.

Common Subjects
Things that appal include: poverty, violence, ignorance, waste, corruption, and poor quality.

Such a display of arrogance would appal even his most loyal supporters.

The realization of how much money was lost will appal the board of directors.

Collocation with Adverbs
Commonly modified by: deeply, truly, utterly, genuinely, or quite.

The lack of basic hygiene in the restaurant did more than just annoy the inspector; it started to appal him.

When writing, consider the impact you want to have. Using 'appal' is like using a heavy hammer; it indicates a finality of judgment. It is not a word of 'maybe' or 'slightly'. It is a word of 'definitely' and 'extremely'. Therefore, ensure the context supports such a strong verb. If the situation is merely 'unpleasant', 'appal' might be too strong. But if the situation involves a fundamental breach of trust or safety, 'appal' is the perfect choice to convey the depth of that failure.
You are likely to encounter appal in high-level discourse. It is a favorite of journalists writing about humanitarian crises, where the goal is to stir the reader's conscience. For example, a report on famine might state that the 'lack of international aid will appal those who believe in global solidarity'. Similarly, in the world of political commentary, you might hear a politician say they are 'appalled' by a rival's policy proposal, especially if it involves cutting essential services.
Journalism
Used to describe public reaction to scandals or tragedies. 'The public was appalled by the revelations of corruption.'
Literature
Found in classic and modern novels to describe a character's internal state when they witness something horrific.

The documentary's portrayal of the slaughterhouse will appal many viewers into becoming vegetarians.

Legal experts were quick to appal the court's decision, calling it a step backward for civil rights.

Academic Contexts
In history or sociology, it describes the reaction of researchers to past atrocities or systemic failures.

It may appal you to know that such laws were still on the books as recently as 1990.

The sheer incompetence of the management will appal the shareholders at the annual meeting.

Environmental Activism
Often used to describe the state of polluted oceans or deforested landscapes.

The amount of plastic waste found in the whale's stomach will appal any environmentalist.

Beyond these formal settings, you might hear it in serious personal conversations. If a friend tells you about a terrible betrayal, you might respond, 'I'm absolutely appalled for you'. It conveys a sense of solidarity in the face of something that is fundamentally wrong. In summary, 'appal' is a word for the big moments—the moments where 'unpleasant' simply isn't enough to describe the gravity of the situation. It is a word that demands attention and implies a need for change or justice.
One of the most frequent mistakes with appal is using it for situations that are merely annoying or inconvenient. Because it is a C2-level word, it carries a high degree of intensity. If you say you are 'appalled' that the bus was five minutes late, you are using hyperbole that might make you sound overly dramatic or even slightly ridiculous. Save 'appal' for matters of moral gravity or extreme failure. Another common error is confusion with the word 'appeal'. While they look somewhat similar, 'appeal' means to attract or to make a formal request, while 'appal' means to shock or horrify.
Spelling Confusion
Mistaking 'appal' (UK) with 'appall' (US) is not technically a mistake, but inconsistent usage within a single document is a stylistic error.
Preposition Errors
Using 'appalled with' instead of 'appalled by' or 'appalled at'. While 'with' is occasionally seen, 'by' and 'at' are the standard collocations.

Correct: I was appalled by the violence. Incorrect: I was appalled with the violence.

It is a mistake to appal someone over a minor disagreement; use 'disagree' or 'annoy' instead.

Overuse
Like many strong words, overuse can dilute its power. If everything is 'appalling', then nothing truly is.

The critic's tendency to appal at every minor flaw made his reviews seem untrustworthy.

The news didn't just appal; it galvanized the community into action.

Confusion with 'Dismay'
'Dismay' is about losing courage or feeling discouraged. 'Appal' is more about horror and revulsion. They overlap but are not identical.

While the low test scores might dismay the teacher, the cheating scandal would appal her.

Learners also sometimes struggle with the double 'l' in the past tense 'appalled' and the present participle 'appalling'. Even in British English, where the base is 'appal', the derived forms use the double 'l'. This can be a source of confusion for those trying to maintain strict British spelling conventions. Finally, remember that 'appal' is an emotional reaction. It is subjective. What appals one person might only mildly bother another, though the word itself suggests a standard of behavior that *should* be universal.
When you want to express shock but 'appal' doesn't quite fit the tone, there are several alternatives. Horrify is perhaps the closest synonym, but it often carries a more visceral, fear-based connotation. You are 'horrified' by a ghost story or a bloody accident, but you are 'appalled' by a social injustice. Shock is a broader, more neutral term; you can be shocked by good news or bad news, but you are only ever appalled by bad news.
Appal vs. Dismay
'Dismay' suggests a feeling of helplessness or being overwhelmed by a problem. 'Appal' suggests a more active sense of moral outrage.
Appal vs. Disgust
'Disgust' is often more physical or sensory. You are disgusted by a bad smell. You are appalled by a corrupt system.

The news of the scandal did not just appal the public; it utterly horrified them.

While 'shock' is common, to appal is to reach a deeper level of condemnation.

Register Comparison
Informal: Gross out, freak out. Neutral: Shock, upset. Formal: Appal, dismay, scandalize.

The sheer scale of the waste would appal any accountant.

He was not just annoyed; he was genuinely appalled by the proposal.

Other Alternatives
Revolt, nauseate, sicken, or petrify (if the shock causes a freeze response).

The lack of empathy in the response will appal the victims' families.

Choosing the right word depends on the 'flavor' of the shock. If the shock is paired with a feeling of being 'sickened', then 'revolt' or 'nauseate' might be better. If the shock is paired with a feeling of 'this shouldn't be happening in a civilized world', then 'appal' is the definitive choice. Understanding these subtle differences is key to mastering C2-level English and expressing complex emotional and moral stances with precision.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word is a 'color' word at its heart. When you are appalled, you are literally 'paled' by what you have seen.

Guide de prononciation

UK /əˈpɔːl/
US /əˈpɔl/
The stress is on the second syllable: ap-PAL.
Rime avec
ball call fall hall mall tall wall stall
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing the first syllable like 'apple'.
  • Confusing the pronunciation with 'appeal' (which has a long 'ee' sound).
  • Failing to stress the second syllable.
  • Pronouncing the final 'l' too softly.
  • Adding an extra syllable at the end.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 8/5

Requires understanding of high-level vocabulary and context.

Écriture 9/5

Difficult to use correctly without sounding overly dramatic or using incorrect prepositions.

Expression orale 7/5

Common in formal debates but rare in everyday conversation.

Écoute 7/5

Easily confused with 'appeal' if not listening carefully.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

shock horrify pale dismay wrong

Apprends ensuite

reprehensible atrocity indignation abhorrent deplorable

Avancé

pallor pallid ghastly lurid

Grammaire à connaître

Transitive Verbs

The sight appals me. (Needs an object)

Passive Voice with 'By/At'

I was appalled by/at the news.

Double Consonants in Inflections

Appal becomes appalled/appalling (even in UK English).

Dummy 'It' Subjects

It appals me that he lied.

Adverbial Modification of Strong Verbs

Use 'utterly' or 'deeply' rather than 'very'.

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Exemples par niveau

1

The bad news will appal the king.

The bad news will make the king very shocked.

Future tense with 'will'.

2

Does the mess appal you?

Does the mess make you feel shocked?

Question form.

3

The cruel man did appal the children.

The mean man made the kids feel horror.

Past tense with 'did'.

4

It will appal many people.

It will shock many people.

Simple future.

5

The cold food did appal the guest.

The guest was shocked by the cold food.

Active voice.

6

Will the story appal her?

Will the story make her feel horror?

Future question.

7

The trash appals the visitors.

The trash shocks the visitors.

Present tense.

8

Don't appal your mother with that mess!

Don't shock your mom with that mess!

Imperative.

1

The high prices appal the shoppers.

The shoppers are shocked by the high prices.

Plural subject.

2

The state of the house will appal the owner.

The owner will be shocked by the house.

Future tense.

3

It appals me to see so much waste.

I am shocked to see so much waste.

Introductory 'It'.

4

The news of the accident will appal everyone.

Everyone will be shocked by the accident.

Transitive verb.

5

Does the lack of water appal the village?

Is the village shocked by the lack of water?

Interrogative.

6

The dirty hospital would appal any doctor.

A doctor would be shocked by a dirty hospital.

Conditional 'would'.

7

The violence in the movie appals many parents.

Many parents are shocked by the movie.

Present simple.

8

His rude behavior appals his friends.

His friends are shocked by his rudeness.

Third person singular.

1

The conditions in the prison appal human rights groups.

Human rights groups are horrified by the prison.

Subject-verb agreement.

2

It appals me that some children cannot go to school.

I am shocked that some kids can't study.

Noun clause as object.

3

The sheer scale of the disaster will appal the nation.

The whole country will be shocked by the disaster.

Noun phrase subject.

4

The lack of honesty in the report will appal the public.

People will be shocked by the lies in the report.

Future simple.

5

Does it appal you to see how the animals are treated?

Are you shocked by the treatment of animals?

Dummy 'it' construction.

6

The teacher was appalled by the students' lack of effort.

The teacher felt shock at the students.

Passive voice with 'by'.

7

The corruption in the city would appal any honest citizen.

Honest people would be shocked by the corruption.

Modal 'would'.

8

The smell of the pollution began to appal the residents.

Residents started to feel horror at the smell.

Infinitive after 'began'.

1

The blatant disregard for safety will appal the inspectors.

Inspectors will be shocked by the lack of safety.

Complex noun phrase.

2

He was appalled at the way his suggestion was dismissed.

He was shocked by the rejection.

Passive with 'at'.

3

The levels of poverty in the city appal many visitors.

Visitors are shocked by the poverty.

Present simple.

4

It appals me that such behavior is tolerated in this office.

I am shocked that this happens here.

That-clause.

5

The movie's graphic scenes will appal more sensitive viewers.

Sensitive people will be shocked by the movie.

Future tense.

6

The sheer incompetence of the staff appalled the manager.

The manager was shocked by the bad work.

Past simple.

7

The news of the environmental damage will appal the world.

The world will be shocked by the damage.

Transitive usage.

8

We were all appalled by the cruelty of the decision.

We were shocked by the mean decision.

Passive voice.

1

The systemic failures in the healthcare system appal the doctors.

Doctors are horrified by the broken system.

Abstract subject.

2

It appals the conscience to think of the suffering involved.

It shocks one's moral sense.

Personification of 'conscience'.

3

The audacity of his lies will appal even his supporters.

Even his friends will be shocked by his lies.

Usage of 'audacity'.

4

She was deeply appalled by the lack of empathy shown.

She was very shocked by the coldness.

Adverbial modification.

5

The environmental degradation will appal future generations.

People in the future will be shocked by the damage.

Future tense.

6

The court's decision was enough to appal any legal scholar.

Legal experts were shocked by the ruling.

Infinitive of result.

7

The level of waste in the fashion industry appals many.

Many people are shocked by the waste.

Implicit object.

8

It appals me to witness such a blatant abuse of power.

I am shocked by the misuse of authority.

Gerund phrase as subject.

1

The sheer magnitude of the corporate negligence will appal the public.

The massive failure will shock everyone.

High-level noun phrases.

2

I am utterly appalled at the cavalier attitude toward safety.

I am completely shocked by the careless attitude.

Intensifier 'utterly'.

3

The historical atrocities described in the book appal the reader.

The reader is horrified by the history.

Literary context.

4

It appals the mind to consider the potential consequences.

It is hard for the mind to process the horror.

Metaphorical usage.

5

The lack of accountability in the government appals the electorate.

Voters are shocked by the lack of responsibility.

Political terminology.

6

The conditions in the slums would appal any person of conscience.

A moral person would be horrified.

Conditional mood.

7

The sheer banality of the evil involved will appal you.

The everyday nature of the badness is shocking.

Philosophical reference.

8

The failure of the summit to reach an agreement will appal observers.

Experts will be shocked by the failure.

Complex subject structure.

Collocations courantes

utterly appal
deeply appal
appal the conscience
appalled at the cost
appalled by the behavior
genuinely appal
appal the public
quite appalled
appalled to find
appalled to learn

Phrases Courantes

It appals me to think...

— Used to express shock at a possibility or reality.

It appals me to think that this was allowed to happen.

I am appalled for you.

— Expressing shared horror or sympathy for someone's bad situation.

I am appalled for you; that treatment was unfair.

Appalled beyond words.

— So shocked that one cannot find anything to say.

After seeing the damage, he was appalled beyond words.

What appals me most is...

— Highlighting the most shocking part of a situation.

What appals me most is the lack of any apology.

Be appalled at the sight of...

— To be shocked upon seeing something.

They were appalled at the sight of the pollution.

Too appalled to speak.

— Silent due to extreme shock or horror.

She sat there, too appalled to speak.

Appalled by the lack of...

— Shocked by the absence of something important.

He was appalled by the lack of discipline.

Genuinely appalled.

— Truly and honestly shocked.

I was genuinely appalled by the rude comments.

Utterly appalled.

— Completely and totally shocked.

The manager was utterly appalled by the error.

Appalled at the thought.

— Shocked just by thinking about something.

She was appalled at the thought of losing her job.

Souvent confondu avec

appal vs appeal

Appeal means to attract or request; appal means to shock or horrify.

appal vs appallment

Though a noun form exists, it is very rare; use 'horror' or 'shock' instead.

appal vs pale

Related in root, but 'pale' is a color/state, while 'appal' is the action of causing shock.

Expressions idiomatiques

"pale with horror"

— To turn white because of extreme shock (linked to the root of 'appal').

He went pale with horror when he heard the news.

Literary
"struck dumb"

— Unable to speak because of shock or surprise.

The news of the scandal left him struck dumb.

Informal/Neutral
"beyond the pale"

— Outside the bounds of acceptable behavior (related to shock).

His comments were truly beyond the pale.

Neutral
"shiver down one's spine"

— A feeling of horror or fear.

The story sent a shiver down my spine.

Informal
"make one's blood run cold"

— To shock or horrify someone deeply.

The sight of the accident made my blood run cold.

Neutral
"knock someone for six"

— To shock or upset someone very much (British English).

The news of her death knocked him for six.

Informal
"stop someone in their tracks"

— To shock someone so much they stop what they are doing.

The scream stopped him in his tracks.

Informal
"take someone's breath away"

— Usually positive, but can be used for negative shock too.

The sheer audacity of the crime took my breath away.

Neutral
"a bolt from the blue"

— A total and shocking surprise.

The resignation was a bolt from the blue.

Neutral
"curl someone's hair"

— To shock or frighten someone.

The stories he told would curl your hair.

Informal

Facile à confondre

appal vs horrify

Both mean to shock.

Horrify is more about fear; appal is more about moral disapproval.

The ghost story horrified him; the corruption appalled him.

appal vs dismay

Both involve negative shock.

Dismay is about feeling discouraged; appal is about feeling revulsion.

The rain dismayed the hikers; the trash appalled them.

appal vs shock

Both are reactions to the unexpected.

Shock is neutral; appal is always negative and moral.

I was shocked to win; I was appalled to lose by cheating.

appal vs disgust

Both involve strong dislike.

Disgust is often physical; appal is often intellectual or moral.

The rotten meat disgusted him; the child labor appalled him.

appal vs scandalize

Both involve public shock.

Scandalize is about social rules; appal is about fundamental right and wrong.

Her dress scandalized the church; her lies appalled the jury.

Structures de phrases

A1

It will appal [someone].

It will appal the teacher.

A2

The [noun] appals [someone].

The noise appals the baby.

B1

I was appalled by the [noun].

I was appalled by the mess.

B2

It appals me that [clause].

It appals me that you lied.

C1

To be utterly appalled at [noun].

She was utterly appalled at the cost.

C1

[Noun] is enough to appal [someone].

The waste is enough to appal anyone.

C2

Appal the conscience of [noun].

It will appal the conscience of the nation.

C2

[Gerund] would appal [someone].

Witnessing the crime would appal you.

Famille de mots

Noms

appallment (rare)
appallingness

Verbes

appal (UK)
appall (US)

Adjectifs

appalling

Apparenté

pale
pallid
pallor
appall
paling
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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in news and literature, rare in casual speech.

Erreurs courantes
  • I was appalled with the service. → I was appalled by/at the service.

    'With' is not the standard preposition for this verb.

  • The story will appeal me. → The story will appal me.

    Confusing 'appeal' (attract) with 'appal' (shock).

  • He was apaled. → He was appalled.

    Missing the double 'l' in the past tense.

  • The appal news... → The appalling news...

    Using the verb form instead of the adjective form.

  • I appal at the mess. → I am appalled at the mess.

    Using the active voice when the passive voice is more natural for a person's reaction.

Astuces

Check the spelling

Remember the double 'l' in 'appalled' and 'appalling' even if you use the single 'l' for 'appal'.

Use for impact

Save this word for things that are truly shocking to make your writing more powerful.

Transitive check

Ensure you have an object if you use it in the active voice: 'The news appalled *me*'.

Global issues

This is a perfect word for discussing climate change, poverty, or human rights.

Avoid hyperbole

Don't use it for minor inconveniences like a late bus; it loses its meaning.

Think of 'pale'

If you forget the meaning, remember that it's about turning pale from shock.

Stress the end

The 'PAL' sound should be the strongest part of the word.

Pair with adverbs

Use 'utterly', 'deeply', or 'thoroughly' to add even more weight to the word.

Watch for 'appeal'

If the person sounds happy, they probably said 'appeal', not 'appal'.

Vary your words

If you've used 'shock' once, use 'appal' to show a deeper level of feeling in the next sentence.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'a pale' face. When you are appalled, you turn 'a-pale' (appal) because of the shock.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person standing in front of a giant mountain of trash, their face turning completely white with shock.

Word Web

Shock Horror Dismay Pale Indignation Moral Gross Terrible

Défi

Try to write three sentences about a news story that shocked you, using 'appal', 'appalled', and 'appalling' correctly.

Origine du mot

From the Middle English 'apallen', which came from the Old French 'apalir'. The French word was formed from 'a-' (to) and 'palle' (pale).

Sens originel : The original meaning was literally 'to grow pale' or 'to make pale'.

Indo-European > Latin > Romance > French > English.

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using this word to describe people directly, as it is a very strong condemnation. It is better to appal at 'actions' or 'conditions' rather than 'people' to avoid sounding overly aggressive.

Commonly used in broadsheet newspapers (The Guardian, The New York Times) to describe reactions to tragedies or injustices.

The phrase 'appalling conditions' is a standard description in humanitarian reports. Used in Shakespeare's Macbeth: 'The feast is sold that is not often vouch'd... to appal the devil.' Frequently used by the character Sherlock Holmes to describe particularly gruesome or illogical crimes.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Human Rights

  • appalling conditions
  • appal the international community
  • appalled by the violence
  • appal the conscience

Politics

  • appalled by the policy
  • appal the voters
  • utterly appalled at the corruption
  • appalling lack of leadership

Professional Reviews

  • appalled by the quality
  • appalling service
  • appal the inspectors
  • appalled at the errors

Environmentalism

  • appalling waste
  • appal nature lovers
  • appalled by the pollution
  • appalling destruction

Social Situations

  • appalled by the rudeness
  • appalled at the behavior
  • appalling manners
  • deeply appalled

Amorces de conversation

"Does it appal you how much food is wasted in restaurants these days?"

"Were you appalled by the news this morning regarding the new tax laws?"

"What is something that would utterly appal you if you saw it in a workplace?"

"Do you think people are too easily appalled by things they see on social media?"

"Have you ever been appalled by the service you received at a high-end hotel?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe a time you were truly appalled by someone's behavior. What happened?

Write about an environmental issue that appals you and what you think should be done.

Reflect on a book or movie that was intended to appal the audience. Did it work?

How do you handle situations where you are appalled but cannot speak out?

Does the current state of global politics appal you, or are you hopeful?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

In British English, it is 'appal'. In American English, it is 'appall'. Both are correct depending on your region.

No, 'appal' is a verb. The noun form is 'appallment', but it is rarely used. Usually, 'shock' or 'horror' is used instead.

No, 'appal' is strictly for negative situations that involve horror, shock, or dismay.

'Appalled' describes how a person feels (passive), while 'appalling' describes the thing that causes the feeling (adjective).

Yes, it might sound a bit dramatic in a text unless you are being very serious or hyperbolic.

You can use either 'by' or 'at'. For example, 'appalled by the news' or 'appalled at the behavior'.

Mostly, yes. It can also mean shock at extremely poor quality, which is a kind of professional 'moral' failing.

It is a soft 'uh' sound, like the 'a' in 'about'. It is not 'apple'.

You could, but 'horrify' is more common for things that are scary rather than morally wrong.

There isn't a single direct opposite, but 'delight', 'please', or 'reassure' work depending on the context.

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Teste-toi 190 questions

writing

Write a sentence using 'appal' to describe a reaction to a news story.

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writing

Use 'appalled by' in a sentence about a mess.

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writing

Explain why 'appal' is different from 'shock' in two sentences.

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writing

Write a formal complaint sentence using 'appalling'.

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writing

Use 'utterly appalled' in a sentence about a political decision.

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writing

Create a sentence starting with 'It appals me that...'.

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writing

Describe a character's physical reaction using 'pale' and 'appal'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'appalling' to describe the weather.

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writing

Use 'appalled at the cost' in a sentence.

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writing

Write a short dialogue (2 lines) using 'appalled'.

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writing

Use 'appal' in the future tense.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'appallingly' as an adverb.

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writing

Explain the etymology of 'appal' briefly.

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writing

Use 'appal' in a question.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'appalled' and 'disgust'.

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writing

Use 'appal' to describe a reaction to a movie.

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writing

Write a sentence about human rights using 'appal'.

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writing

Use 'appalled to learn' in a sentence.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'appal' to describe a professional failure.

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writing

Create a sentence using 'deeply appalled'.

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speaking

Pronounce 'appal' correctly. Where is the stress?

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speaking

Say: 'I was utterly appalled by the news.'

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speaking

Describe a shocking scene using 'appalling'.

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speaking

How would you express shock formally? Use 'appalled'.

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speaking

Ask a friend if they were shocked by a movie using 'appal'.

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speaking

Use 'appalling' to describe bad weather.

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speaking

Express indignation about waste. Use 'appals'.

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speaking

Practice the 'aw' sound in 'appal'. Rhyme it with 'ball'.

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speaking

Say: 'She was appalled at the thought of losing.'

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speaking

Use 'appallingly' to describe someone's behavior.

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speaking

Explain the meaning of 'appal' in your own words.

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speaking

Give an example of something that would appal an accountant.

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speaking

Say: 'The conditions in the slums would appal anyone.'

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speaking

Use 'deeply appalled' in a sentence about a scandal.

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speaking

Describe a messy room using 'appalling'.

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speaking

Say: 'It appals the conscience of the nation.'

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speaking

Use 'appalled to find' in a sentence.

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speaking

Talk about a bad experience at a restaurant using 'appalling service'.

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speaking

Practice the UK spelling pronunciation (one 'l').

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speaking

Express shared shock: 'I am appalled for you.'

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listening

Listen to the word: 'Appal'. Does it rhyme with 'Apple' or 'Ball'?

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listening

Identify the verb in: 'The news will appal the community.'

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listening

Listen for the preposition: 'I was appalled ___ the mess.'

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listening

Is the speaker happy or upset when they use the word 'appalling'?

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listening

Which word sounds similar but means something else: appeal or appal?

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listening

Listen for the stress: AP-pal or ap-PAL?

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listening

In the phrase 'utterly appalled', which word is the intensifier?

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listening

Does the speaker say 'appaled' or 'appalled' (listen for the 'd' sound)?

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listening

Identify the tone of a person saying 'That's appalling!'.

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listening

Listen for the noun in: 'The appalling weather ruined the day.'

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listening

Listen for the object: 'The violence appalled the viewers.'

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listening

Which syllable is long in 'appal'?

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listening

Does the speaker sound formal or informal when using 'appal'?

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listening

Identify the adverb: 'He was appallingly treated.'

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listening

Listen for the 'p' sound. Is it at the start or middle?

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/ 190 correct

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