Definition of FLAGRANT

Choose the Right Synonym for 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. 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

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").

Examples of flagrant in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

The Sooners trailed 53-51 when Baylor was called for a flagrant foul. — Jason Orts, The Seattle Times, "Bandoo leads Baylor past Oklahoma to end two-game skid," 11 Feb. 2019 And despite changing the rules to allow for more severe penalties and fines for flagrant helmet-to-helmet hits, the NFL has not succeeded so far in preventing concussions. — Brian Resnick, Vox, "What a lifetime of playing football can do to the human brain," 4 Feb. 2019 But the Trump administration argues the WTO isn’t equipped to police flagrant fouls, especially by China, and has taken matters into its own hands, often slapping on trade sanctions without awaiting Geneva’s imprimatur. — Jacob M. Schlesinger, WSJ, "The Catch-22 of Globalization," 21 Jan. 2019 White rappers are by far the most flagrant appropriators on today's pop charts, and many of them flunk these questions. — Chris Richards, chicagotribune.com, "The 5 hardest questions in pop music," 3 July 2018 Green now has one flagrant point on his record for these playoffs. — Tom Orsborn, San Antonio Express-News, "Bertans unfazed by Green elbow: ‘I can take a punch’," 17 Apr. 2018 For most of American history, the insane scope of the pardon power has been kept in check by norms, and the understanding that flagrant abuse of the authority would come at a steep political price. — Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "New York AG Calls for Closing Presidential Pardon Loophole," 18 Apr. 2018 For one thing, Trump is acting in flagrant defiance of longstanding Republican party dogma, which has for better or worse endorsed free trade as an unmitigated good. — Jonathan Chait, Daily Intelligencer, "Paul Ryan Unaware Constitution Lets Congress Override Presidential Veto," 12 July 2018 Terry is really the fountainhead there -- Steve Reich is an offshoot, and often a flagrant copier in the early days. — Joe Lynch, Billboard, "Jon Hassell at 81: Visionary Composer-Trumpeter Reflects on a Half Century of Music on His Own Terms," 28 June 2018

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.