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 of glaring

• blatant
• obvious

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

His job is the installation of decibel meters, which trigger a glaring blue light when excessive levels of noise are reached — as happens here, though the rowdy patrons aren’t deterred. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026

The Shards is the most recent — and perhaps glaring — evidence that Murphy has lost some creative command. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2026

Now 21, McNabb sees that same battle reaching the WNBA and believes the league's response is exposing a glaring double standard. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 7 Aug. 2026

These issues are perhaps most glaring on Le Ravi, which hosts not one but two fake journalists. — Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 30 July 2026

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