aghast

adjective

ə-ˈgast How to pronounce aghast (audio)
Definition of aghastnext
as in terrified
filled with fear or dread I stood there, aghast, as the vile monster made its way toward me

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of aghast All are aghast, save Ser Torrhen Manderly, who applauds the farce. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 July 2026 Social media videos show drivers aghast at the lines or swearing at empty gas pumps and rising prices. — ABC News, 1 July 2026 When the Boulder County commissioners initiated a study to determine whether mountain bikes should be prohibited on select days and specific trails at two open space parks, the county’s legion of trailriders was aghast. — John Meyer, Denver Post, 29 June 2026 Delegates from the smaller states in particular were aghast at this latter proposal. — Jesse Wegman, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for aghast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for aghast
  1. terrified
  2. frightened
  3. afraid
  4. horrified
  5. scared
  6. shocked
  7. alarmed
Adjective
  • During the attack, terrified students huddled together under their desks, sobbing as gunshots rang out nearby, video filmed inside a classroom and verified by CNN showed.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • At a news conference, Twin Falls police released dramatic surveillance video that showed terrified employees diving for cover and shielding one another.
    — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of terrified
Adjective
  • Officers initially discovered more than 30 cats and kittens living in unsafe conditions aboard the vessel, with many appearing frightened and malnourished.
    — Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Think of yourself as the captain of your ship versus one frightened passenger, the conductor instead of one instrument in the orchestra or the CEO rather than one anxious shareholder in the boardroom.
    — Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • So my encouragement to young Latino artists out there is to keep creating and don’t be afraid of creating.
    — Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Not afraid of breaking tradition, Morgan and Jezzel decided to find their wedding gowns together and made eight salon visits in two weeks.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of afraid
Adjective
  • When Tae-ha starts a fire that erupts into an explosion, a horrified Eun-sae begins to remember her life before amnesia.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In one early scene, a horrified Pam stares into her bathroom mirror, covered head to toe in blood.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026
Definition of horrified
Adjective
  • Stokes was scared to be seen in public talking about the case, worried about poor treatment from law enforcement and the potential for retribution.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Hospitals and healthcare workers are already reporting growing staffing concerns, as many workers are scared to leave their homes for fear of being targeted by ICE.
    — Nancy Hagans, New York Daily News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • But something fascinating was happening behind the scenes, coinciding with the disaster that had sent Olin overseas and left her bandmates, Augustin and Nathan Slone — located in New York City — shocked.
    — Julius Miller, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Shell-shocked, Daemon appears ready to woozily charge into his final battle, death with his sword swinging.
    — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of shocked
Adjective
  • Chan's death comes after celebrity blogger Perez Hilton also alarmed fans on a TikTok livestream when police were called to his home after reports of self-harm.
    — Moises Mendez II, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Bullard said after practice that the injury wasn’t anything to be alarmed about.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of alarmed

Browse Nearby Words

aggros
aghast
agile
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Cite this Entry

“Aghast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/aghast. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of aghast for Spanish Speakers

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