Definition of glaringnext

glaring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of glare

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
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
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
Verb
  • Its alcohol-free, bi-phase formula leaves skin glowing thanks to its nourishing oil base.
    Allure Editors, Allure, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The picture-perfect launch today adds to Roman's glowing record of efficiency and performance.
    Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • The note was written on Cohn’s personal stationery, imprinted with a scowling caricature of himself.
    Kai Bird, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The proximity makes a team’s flaws so obvious, which is why fans sometimes fixate on the three or four major problems with their team rather than highlight the strengths of the group.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Oakley said there were no obvious signs of foul play or trauma.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • As the planet heats up, driven by humans burning fossil fuels, the oceans are changing.
    Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Twenty miles from the start of stage eight in Puçol, the biggest wildfire in 40 years in the city of Valencia was close to being extinguished but was still burning.
    Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Once there, staring at the devastation, there was no denying the reality of death.
    Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026
  • This, like Hamlet, is about staring death in the face and fulfilling a dream not thought impossible.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The movie star approached AFP photographer Tiziana Fabi, gave her his gleaming trophy, then posed with Fabi's camera.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • In 1972, to mark Kim’s sixtieth birthday, the nation erected a gleaming sixty-six-foot-tall statue of him on a hill in the capital, Pyongyang.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
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

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Cite this Entry

“Glaring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glaring. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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