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aghast

Adjective

IPA /əˈɡɑːst/

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Meaning in plain English

Extremely shocked and horrified by something.

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Pronunciation

aghast/əˈɡɑːst/

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Serious damage to a favourite place
An intensely shocked reaction

Someone who is aghast feels horrified, rather than mildly surprised.

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We were aghast at the damage to the old house.
The students looked aghast when they saw the vandalised classroom.

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We were ________ at the damage to the old house.

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aghast — Extremely shocked and horrified by something.

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Extremely shocked and horrified by something.

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Word origin

From a Middle English form of an older verb meaning to frighten.

Did you know?

Aghast often follows be, look or stand: she stood aghast.

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