flagrant

adjective

fla·​grant ˈflā-grənt 

 also  ˈfla-

1

: 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

2

archaic : fiery hot : burning

flagrantly adverb

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").

Synonyms

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

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

Examples of flagrant in a Sentence

flagrant abuse of the law

her flagrant disregard for other people's rights

Recent Examples on the Web

Foster immediately assessed Hart a flagrant foul penalty two and ejected him from the game. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 Apr. 2024

When an area is taken over by flagrant dealing, the conduct of the dealers, the buyers, and the robbers who come to prey on them can force ordinary residents off the streets and drive legitimate businesses away. —Mark A. R. Kleiman, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2011

Reese and Clark’s teams have already played close and intense games against one another, including a mid-June matchup that spawned headlines around the sports world when Reese was called for a flagrant foul after connecting with Clark’s head during a drive to the basket. —Sean Neumann, Peoplemag, 3 July 2024

Joe Many Speak out Hallandale, Fla.: What Israel has continued to perpetrate in Gaza is so reprehensible, so flagrant and so dehumanizing, with our own government wholly complicit. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 31 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin flagrant-, flagrans, present participle of flagrare to burn — more at black entry 1

First Known Use

1513, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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Kids Definition

flagrant

adjective

fla·​grant ˈflā-grənt 

: so bad as to be impossible to overlook : outrageous

a flagrant lie

flagrantly adverb