glaring

1 of 2

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

glaringness

2 of 2

noun

glar·​ing·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being glaring

embarrassed by the glaringness of this error

Synonyms of glaring

Adjective

• 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

Adjective

a glaring example of racism

no one missed the glaring spelling error in the title

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Compounding the outsized authority of guardians is a glaring lack of oversight. —Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2026

But a four-game losing streak, all at home, has quickly cracked open some of the most glaring flaws in this team’s roster construction. —Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026

Even then, the finale’s other and perhaps more glaring pitfall is an uneven perspective. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 June 2026

Of course, plenty can happen between now and then, but those have been the most glaring weaknesses for a team that is second to the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East. —Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see glare entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

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