flagrant

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adjective fla·grant \ ˈflā-grənt also ˈfla- \

Definition of flagrant

1 archaic :fiery hot :burning

2 :conspicuously offensive

flagrant errors

; especially :so obviously inconsistent with what is right or proper as to appear to be a flouting of law or morality

flagrant violations of human rights

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flagrantly

adverb

See flagrant defined for English-language learners

See flagrant defined for kids

flagrant was our Word of the Day on 08/23/2017. Hear the podcast!

Examples of flagrant in a Sentence

flagrant abuse of the law
her flagrant disregard for other people's rights

Recent Examples of flagrant from the Web

Incarcerated, not so much for his libidinous ways, but for gambling, cheating tourists, his flagrant libertinism in the face of the Venetian Inquisition, and his heretical interests in alchemy and the kabbalah.

— gaile robinson, star-telegram, "Kimbell’s ‘Casanova’ follows the seducer’s trail through Europe – adult-only art and all," 30 Aug. 2017
The Trump presidency’s flagrant and excessive misuse of taxpayer’s money for the president’s security would be a small cost were the country’s fiscal finances in decent shape.

— laurence j. kotlikoff, Fortune, "Trump’s Secret Service Spending Spree Might Be Illegal," 25 Aug. 2017
People here rise above their fear, standing up to tyranny and openly challenging flagrant violations of human rights.

— eduard freisler, National Review, "Venezuela and the Gray Shades of Communist Czechoslovakia," 21 Aug. 2017
Susan Thornton, the top U.S. diplomat for Asia, said Beijing had historically cooperated with sanctions after flagrant North Korean violations but then slipped back over time.

— the washington post, OregonLive.com, "Pence for president in 2020? 'Laughable and absurd,' the vice president says," 6 Aug. 2017
Dennehy's girlfriend told officials that Bliss paid part of Dennehy's and Dotson's tuitions, a flagrant NCAA violation.

— daniel rapaport, SI.com, ""Disgraced" Ex-Baylor Basektball Coach Dave Bliss Hired by Las Vegas High School," 3 Aug. 2017
But celebrities who engage in flagrant attacks on social media are rewarded with worldwide attention.

— sandy cohen, The Christian Science Monitor, "Bad behavior is normalized online, spreading 'digital nastiness'," 11 July 2017
Co-captain Stephen Jackson, a boisterous personality throughout his 14-year NBA career, nearly wrestled Mobley to the ground on a late flagrant foul.

— c jackson cowart, charlotteobserver, "Is the BIG3 a professional basketball league or a traveling sideshow?," 2 July 2017
Their friendship snarls Mueller in a flagrant conflict of interest, the attack goes, and Mueller's team is rife with partisans.

— david von drehle, Time, "Will Robert Mueller Separate Fact From Fiction?," 22 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flagrant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

In Latin, flagrare means "to burn," and flagrans means "burning" or "fiery hot" (both literally and figuratively). When it was first used in the 16th century, "flagrant" had the same meaning as "flagrans," but by the 18th century it had acquired its current meaning of "conspicuously bad." Some usage commentators warn against using "flagrant" and "blatant" interchangeably. While both words denote conspicuousness, they are not exact synonyms. "Blatant" is usually used of some person, action, or thing that attracts disapproving attention (e.g., "a blatant grammatical error"). "Flagrant" is used similarly, but usually carries a heavier weight of violated morality (e.g., "flagrant abuse of public office").

Origin and Etymology of flagrant

Latin flagrant-, flagrans, present participle of flagrare to burn — more at black

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1513

See Words from the same year

flagrant Synonyms

Synonyms

blatant, conspicuous, egregious, glaring, gross, obvious, patent, pronounced, rank, striking

Near Antonyms

imperceptible, inconspicuous, unnoticeable, unobtrusive; inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, slight, small, trifling, trivial; concealed, hidden, invisible

Synonym Discussion of flagrant

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.