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

One of the most glaring differences between the two teams is their offensive lines. —Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025

Perhaps the most glaring omission in the Switch 2 reveal was the fact that Nintendo didn’t say anything about how powerful the new console is. —Ash Parrish, The Verge, 16 Jan. 2025

The most glaring need is in the infield, where second baseman Gleyber Torres left in free agency for a one-year, $15 million contract with the Detroit Tigers. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2025

Although flagging military primacy is the most glaring impediment to national security, the United States cannot neglect the role of foreign aid, either. —Mitch McConnell, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 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