aghast
/əˈɡɑːst/
Group 31Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Filled with horror or shock GRE
Example in Context
The community was aghast when the extent of the contamination was finally revealed, having lived for years near the undetected source.
Synonyms
shockedhorrifiedappalled
Etymology
Not frightened, but completely overwhelmed with horror.
- a- (Old English) — not
- ghast (Old English) — frightened
Memory Aid
👻Sounds like “a ghost”
When you see a GHOST, you’re AGHAST — frozen in shock like a statue!
Visual Association
😱A person with wide eyes and a dropped jaw, frozen in shock at a sudden fright!
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “aghast” mean on the GRE?
aghast (adjective) means “Filled with horror or shock”. The community was aghast when the extent of the contamination was finally revealed, having lived for years near the undetected source.
How to remember “aghast” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “aghast” sounds like “a ghost”. When you see a GHOST, you’re AGHAST — frozen in shock like a statue!
What are synonyms for “aghast”?
Common synonyms: shocked, horrified, appalled.