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

Nowhere is this failure more glaring than in housing, and nowhere is that more evident than in California. —Rigel Robinson, The Mercury News, 7 Dec. 2024

The most glaring example of Trump’s penchant for relying on acting heads centered around the Office of Management and Budget where Russell Vought served as acting director for a year and a half before winning full Senate confirmation. —Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 30 Nov. 2024

Commanders can no longer dismiss their glaring problem: Kliff Kingsbury tried to dismiss questions about his offense's staying power. —Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024

Somebody had spray-painted the walls and door with big glaring eyes and strange faces. —Janelle Ash, Fox News, 7 Oct. 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