Synonyms of glaring

glaring 1 of 2

adjective

ˈgler-iŋ 

as in blatant

very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad

no one missed the glaring spelling error in the title

Synonyms & Similar Words

• blatant
• obvious
• gross
• conspicuous
• striking
• egregious
• flagrant
• noticeable
• pronounced
• patent
• distinct
• sheer
• terrible
• outstanding
• clear
• salient
• notable
• evident
• marked
• prominent
• dramatic
• rank
• remarkable
• visible
• emphatic
• utter
• discernible
• plain
• showy
• stark
• outright
• monstrous
• shocking
• perceptible
• downright
• detectable
• absolute
• observable
• shameful
• arresting
• heinous
• eye-catching
• outrageous
• abominable
• awful
• out-and-out
• atrocious
• arrant
• splashy
• deplorable
• preposterous
• execrable
• lousy
• wretched

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• inconspicuous
• imperceptible
• slight
• small
• unobtrusive
• trivial
• insignificant
• inconsequential
• trifling
• inconsiderable
• hidden
• invisible
• unnoticeable
• concealed

glaring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of glare

1

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

• glowing
• burning
• gleaming
• blazing
• flashing
• flaring
• glancing
• flaming
• glinting
• glistening
• beating
• sparkling
• radiating
• beaming
• glittering
• shimmering
• glimmering
• blinding
• twinkling
• scintillating
• glistering
• dazzling
• bedazzling
• dazing

2

as in scowling

to look with anger or disapproval

don't glare at me like that when I tell you "no"

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scowling
• staring
• frowning
• glowering
• gazing
• gaping
• glooming
• ogling
• lowering
• looking daggers
• grimacing
• sneering
• sulking
• snarling
• pouting
• growling
• sniggering

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• smiling
• grinning
• beaming

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

Recent Examples of glaring

Adjective

On the heels of two disappointing seasons, the 2025 Badgers were ravaged by injuries — particularly at quarterback — a brutal schedule and a glaring lack of identity. — Justin Williams, New York Times, 27 July 2026

While Loathe’s baffling compositional choices may jump out first, the album’s most glaring flaw is its production. — Patrick Lyons, Pitchfork, 16 July 2026

Verb

Once launched, Eärendil-1 would deploy an 18-meter-wide steerable mirror to demonstrate that technological feat; anyone or anything in the path of its beam would see the satellite as a glaring dot shining up to four times brighter than a full moon. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 16 July 2026

This has been especially glaring considering the strong advances seen in the S & P 500 and many other indexes since the 2023 lows. — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 8 July 2026