outrageous

adjective

out·​ra·​geous (ˌ)au̇t-ˈrā-jəs 

1

a

: exceeding the limits of what is usual

the outrageous weather we have been afflicted with

—New Yorker

outrageous prices

b

: not conventional or matter-of-fact : fantastic

outrageous costumes

an outrageous tale

2

: violent, unrestrained

outrageous behavior

3

a

: going beyond all standards of what is right or decent

an outrageous disregard of human rights

b

: deficient in propriety (see propriety sense 2a) or good taste

outrageous language

outrageous manners

outrageously adverb

outrageousness noun

Examples of outrageous in a Sentence

They will be punished for their outrageous behavior.

This is outrageous! I will not put up with such treatment.

She's known for her wild hairdos and outrageous costumes.

At first it seemed like an outrageous idea, but then we realized that it wasn't so crazy after all.

The article makes some outrageous claims about her personal life.

Recent Examples on the Web

The default punished Jones for failing to comply with court orders to disclose business records and found in favor of the families on the central point of their suit — that Jones’ hoax broadcasts were outrageous lies and were responsible for a decade of harassment and anguish. —Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 6 Dec. 2024

Hechinger plays the outrageous Emperor Caracalla, who rules Rome alongside his twin, Emperor Geta (Joseph Quinn). —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 6 Dec. 2024

That is outrageous but the Naperville Sun buries that in the article text. —Naperville Sun, Chicago Tribune, 29 Nov. 2024

Biden said the recent attack, which occurred as the United States prepared for its Thanksgiving holiday, was outrageous and is another reminder of the importance of supporting Ukraine. —Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 28 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

outrageous

adjective

out·​ra·​geous au̇t-ˈrā-jəs 

: extremely annoying, insulting, or shameful : shocking

outrageously adverb

outrageousness noun

Legal Definition

outrageous

adjective

out·​ra·​geous au̇t-ˈrā-jəs 

: going beyond standards of decency : utterly intolerable in a civilized society

outrageous conduct

outrageously adverb

outrageousness noun