glaring 1 of 2

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
My opponent, Allan Culver, fails to address the glaring fact that he (along with his co-prosecutor, who resigned) was banned from appearing in court by all four Circuit Court judges for over 15 months due to ethical and legal violations, for which he was never officially exonerated. George Psoras, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026 Compounding the outsized authority of guardians is a glaring lack of oversight. Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2026
Verb
In some cases, though, the glaring sign that an unpaid debt has gone from being delinquent to a serious issue is when a borrower can no longer access money in their bank account. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 June 2026 Rim pressure felt like another glaring absence from Denver’s roster in the playoffs. Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for glaring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glaring
Adjective
  • And to society, the implications of such blatant cronyism could be sweeping, from atrophying regulation and loss of accountability to further concentration of power and money among the wealthiest people on Earth.
    Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 18 June 2026
  • Someone behaves with a blatant lack of consideration for others.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • The pants have close to 6,000 five-star ratings and plenty of glowing reviews to boot.
    Annie Blackman, InStyle, 22 June 2026
  • Humans of all ages, in fact, stare dazed into glowing screens.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • As a 7-year-old, I’d entertain my father’s friends, at their weekly pickup game at a Bronx barn-house gymnasium, by imitating his game face—bottom lip jutting, eyes scowling.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 14 June 2026
  • Modern tiki tends to take a lighter touch, using more abstract graphics, less imagery of women and scowling gods.
    Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
Adjective
  • But what feels most haunting about the arc of then to now, about Smith’s unfathomable issues and woes — yet obvious heart and particularly evident quest to find himself in recent years — is that his words then were spoken with a sense of arrival and past tense.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026
  • Look in the most obvious places first.
    Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • Video shared by a witness from the scene showed emergency responders attempting to crack open the plane’s windshield as authorities and bystanders assisted several people out of the burning aircraft.
    Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
  • At the same time, that quote and Ruth’s attitude also implies that nothing can be done to extinguish the fire in the perpetually burning building.
    Jen Chaney, Vulture, 17 June 2026
Verb
  • Beijing — When US and Israeli bombs first began falling on Iran at the end of February, China’s leaders were staring at the very real possibility of another friendly regime being decapitated, much like had happened with Venezuela only weeks before.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 20 June 2026
  • Yesterday, Barack Obama stood in the nearly same spot, now as a former president, staring up at a monument in his name.
    Josh Feldman, NBC news, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Jalen Brunson’s appearance on his float—amid a flurry of blue and orange confetti, the gleaming gold Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy in hand—elicited a chant of MVP!
    Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 18 June 2026
  • Look west sky after sunset on June 17 to witness a slender crescent moon gleaming alongside the stars of the Beehive Cluster at the head of a dazzling planetary parade.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 17 June 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 24 Jun. 2026.

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