glaring

adjective

glar·​ing ˈgler-iŋ 

1

: having a fixed look of hostility, fierceness, or anger

2

a

: shining with or reflecting an uncomfortably bright light

b(1)

: garish

(2)

: vulgarly ostentatious

3

: obtrusively and often painfully obvious

a glaring error

glaringly

ˈgler-iŋ-lē 

adverb

glaringness noun

Synonyms

• blatant
• conspicuous
• egregious
• flagrant
• gross
• obvious
• patent
• pronounced
• rank
• striking

Choose the Right Synonym for glaring

flagrant, glaring, gross, rank mean conspicuously bad or objectionable.

flagrant applies usually to offenses or errors so bad that they can neither escape notice nor be condoned.

flagrant abuse of the office of president

glaring implies painful or damaging obtrusiveness of something that is conspicuously wrong, faulty, or improper.

glaring errors

gross implies the exceeding of reasonable or excusable limits.

gross carelessness

rank applies to what is openly and extremely objectionable and utterly condemned.

rank heresy

Examples of glaring in a Sentence

a glaring example of racism

no one missed the glaring spelling error in the title

Recent Examples on the Web

By making draconian immigration policies his main pitch to female voters in the election’s final days, Trump is trying to mitigate his most glaring vulnerability, according to several of his top advisers. —Eric Cortellessa / Gastonia, TIME, 3 Nov. 2024

Rock-steady strongman City of Troy bears his glaring, now-famous disadvantage related to the surface. —Guy Martin, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

As their love for Pilates deepened, each woman noticed a glaring lack of studios in their own neighborhoods where they, as Black women, felt seen and supported. —Patrice Peck, Essence, 21 Oct. 2024

Perhaps most glaring was the Taliban’s 2021 takeover of Afghanistan, after Washington had spent 20 years and $83 billion building Afghan security forces. —Paul J. Angelo, Foreign Affairs, 11 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

see glare entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

glaring

adjective

glar·​ing

ˈgla(ə)r-iŋ,

ˈgle(ə)r-

: painfully obvious

a glaring mistake

glaringly adverb

glaringness noun