What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
horrify
Example
The horror movie scene was so intense that it horrified me. [horrified: past tense verb]
Example
The news of the accident horrified the entire community. [horrified: past participle adjective]
appall
Example
The cruelty of the animal abuse case appalled the entire nation. [appalled: past tense verb]
Example
The conditions in the prison were appalling and inhumane. [appalling: present participle adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Appall is more commonly used than horrify in everyday language. Appall is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while horrify is less common and is often used in the context of horror movies or books.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between horrify and appall?
Both horrify and appall are formal words that are used in serious or professional contexts. However, appall may be slightly more formal than horrify due to its association with moral outrage or disgust.
