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

As a woman, I am appalled by Michael Tanzi's outrageous actions. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025

Several major automakers like Audi and Volkswagen have paused shipments to the United States to avoid paying outrageous import tariffs. —Charles Singh, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025

Many of the most outrageous falsehoods were aimed at Bolsonaro’s opponent, Fernando Haddad. —Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025

That sucks for them, but is great for viewers, who will spend weeks sharing ridiculous fan theories, quoting the most outrageous characters, and maybe even booking their own vacation in whatever gorgeous location the next season is set. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 6 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for outrageous

• advantageous
• contagious
• courageous
• disadvantageous

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