Apparently refusing entry just to shock them (5)

I believe the answer is:

appal

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'to shock them' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'apparently refusing entry' is the wordplay.
'refusing' is a deletion indicator.
'apparently' with 'entry' taken away is 'APPAL'.

'just' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for appal that I've seen before include "Put at rest (suspicion)" , "Petrify" , "Outrage" , "Shock, horrify" , "Fill with horror" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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