GLARING Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'glaring' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of glaring are flagrant , gross , and rank . While all these words mean "conspicuously bad or objectionable," glaring implies painful or damaging obtrusiveness of something that is conspicuously wrong, faulty, or improper. // glaring errors

Q: When would 'flagrant' be a good substitute for 'glaring'?

The words flagrant and glaring are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Q: In what contexts can 'gross' take the place of 'glaring'?

Although the words gross and glaring have much in common, gross implies the exceeding of reasonable or excusable limits. // gross carelessness

Q: When can 'rank' be used instead of 'glaring'?

The synonyms rank and glaring are sometimes interchangeable, but rank applies to what is openly and extremely objectionable and utterly condemned. // rank heresy

glaring 1 of 2

adjective

ˈgler-iŋ

Definition of glaring

as in blatant

very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad no one missed the glaring spelling error in the title

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

glaring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of glare

as in glowing

to shine with a bright harsh light the spotlight glared down on the suspect as the police questioned him relentlessly

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in scowling

to look with anger or disapproval don't glare at me like that when I tell you "no"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective glaring differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of glaring are flagrant, gross, and rank. While all these words mean "conspicuously bad or objectionable," glaring implies painful or damaging obtrusiveness of something that is conspicuously wrong, faulty, or improper.

glaring errors

When would flagrant be a good substitute for glaring?

The words flagrant and glaring are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

In what contexts can gross take the place of glaring?

Although the words gross and glaring have much in common, gross implies the exceeding of reasonable or excusable limits.

gross carelessness

When can rank be used instead of glaring?

The synonyms rank and glaring are sometimes interchangeable, but rank applies to what is openly and extremely objectionable and utterly condemned.

rank heresy

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of glaring

Adjective

There is a lot to like about the Reds, but there are also some glaring holes. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026 San Francisco doesn't have a glaring need at linebacker where Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw are projected as two of the starters and several other players are in the running for a backup spot. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026

Verb

Still no Mohamed Salah replacement, still no holding midfielder, and still no full-back reinforcements, despite the glaring weakness in both positions. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 This is, of course, projection; eagles are always glaring suspiciously. — Alex Ross, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for glaring

Recent Examples of Synonyms for glaring

Adjective

Wolff’s blatant disregard of hunting and fishing laws, including earlier incidents that led to his hunting and fishing licenses being revoked, was well known by local residents and law enforcement officers.

— David Zeug, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026
Some critics have argued that the watermark will prove largely ineffective for flagging anything short of blatant chatbot use.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of blatant

Verb

This face serum brightens and evens skin tone, fights free radicals, supports collagen production and softens the look of fine lines and wrinkles for glowing, healthy-looking skin.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026
Still, given the national attention given last winter to the air conditioning not working properly in an Angel Stadium weight room, Neto said the evaluation from the Rams’ locker room was glowing.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of glowing

Verb

Don’t be fooled by the film’s advertising, which features an image of Neeson’s scowling visage dwarfing Levi aiming an automatic weapon.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026
Whether his teams were good or bad, his outspoken and occasionally scowling personality almost always commanded the room.

— Carl Steward, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of scowling

Adjective

For all his obvious qualities in attack, Ruiz also praises Kvaratskhelia’s defensive work.

— Tom Burrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Jacob Klein, Anthropic’s head of threat intelligence, told The New York Times that the situation rarely involves obvious declarations of malicious intent.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of obvious

Verb

There was a time, not that long ago, when the average suburban street was full of unannounced drop-ins, the smell of burning charcoal, and scattered lawn chairs.

— John Mac Ghlionn, Washington Post, 11 Sep. 2026
On his back, Saint Michael is forever emerging from a burning Jerusalem.

— Stephen Rodrick, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of burning

Verb

In their place stands One World Trade Center, a gleaming glass tower that rises defiantly above a skyline that has been forever changed.

— Thomas E. Franklin, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
In This Article Fireclay sinks have been a kitchen staple for centuries, with their iconic, usually white, gleaming glaze that turns an otherwise utilitarian fixture into a striking visual highlight.

— Blythe Copeland, Martha Stewart, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of gleaming

Verb

This focuses readers on the all-black uniforms of the veiled pupils, who—in a long frame at the center of the page—sit between the looming, frowning teacher on the right and Marji on the left, who stands up to explain that her uncle was executed by the Islamic regime.

— Hillary Chute, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Woods, 50, is seen frowning in the photo, taken shortly after the legendary golfer was booked into jail on March 27 after his Land Rover rolled over in Jupiter Island, Florida.

— Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026

Definition of frowning

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“Glaring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glaring. Accessed 14 Sep. 2026.

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