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

This user experience gap is a glaring oversight that leaves many customers frustrated, confused and wondering if the futuristic fintech promises were just clever marketing. —Sal Rehmetullah, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

Brunson’s game-winning, ice-cold three only numbed the pain the Knicks endured — pain a better opponent will continue to impose on a team that has shown more glaring holes than bright spots. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 2 May 2025

The Chargers overshadowed their defensive draft moves with their focus on offense, the team’s most glaring deficiency last season. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025

Of the many mistakes made in the COVID era, none were as glaring as prolonged school closures. —David Zweig, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see glare entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for glaring

• airing
• bearing
• blaring
• caring
• chairing
• charing
• daring
• erring
• fairing
• flaring
• haring
• herring

Kids Definition

glaring

adjective

glar·​ing

ˈgla(ə)r-iŋ,

ˈgle(ə)r-

: painfully obvious

a glaring mistake

glaringly adverb

glaringness noun