aghast

IPA/əˈɡɑːst/
KK[əɡˈæst]IPA/əˈɡæst/

aghast — adjective

  • aghastpositive
  • more aghastcomparative
  • most aghastsuperlative

1. so shocked, frightened, or deeply upset by a terrible event or piece of news tha

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

so shocked, frightened, or deeply upset by a terrible event or piece of news that you can hardly react normally.

Example

Padma looked aghast when the waiter dropped soup onto her new coat.

look aghast + when-clause (instant reaction)

Joon stood aghast at the damage inside his grandmother's shop.

stand aghast + at [shocking sight]

Common collocations
  • look aghast
  • stand aghast
  • aghast at
Synonyms
  • shocked

    more general and common, with less emphasis on fear

  • horrified

    stronger and often adds disgust or moral fear

  • appalled

    focuses more on moral disapproval than sudden fright

Antonyms
  • unfazed

    not visibly upset or shocked by what happened

  • calm

    remaining steady instead of reacting with alarm

Grammar Patterns

be aghast at

look aghast

stand aghast

Usage Note

Usually follows linking verbs such as 'be', 'look', or 'stand', and is often followed by 'at' when naming the shocking thing. It suggests both shock and fear, not simple surprise.

Common Mistakes

The news was aghast.
We were aghast at the news.
'Aghast' describes the people who feel the shock, not the event that causes it.

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Aghast' is a formal word for looking or feeling suddenly overwhelmed by shock and fear. 'Shocked' is the broad everyday choice and fits many kinds of bad news. 'Horrified' is stronger when the reaction includes fear, disgust, or a sense that something is deeply wrong. 'Appalled' often points more clearly to moral disapproval than to fear. Use 'aghast' when a person seems frozen by what they have just seen or heard. For example, you can be shocked by a late bill, horrified by a violent video, appalled by cruel treatment, and aghast when you open a door and see your kitchen under water.

aghast ↗shocked ↗horrified ↗appalled

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • be aghast at
  • look aghast
  • stand aghast

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Aghast' comes from Middle English 'agast', from an older verb meaning 'to frighten'. That older form is related to the early English word behind 'ghost', so the word originally carried the idea of being terrified as if by a spirit.