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
But as a new class of pop stars has established themselves as formidable commercial forces across metrics, there’s a glaring absence of Black women. — Kyle Denis, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026 Clark was responding to the comments Mitchell made Saturday during her exit interview and the challenges that of living life in such a glaring spotlight. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Verb
The hypocrisy is so glaring you can’t even turn your head toward it. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 7 Oct. 2026 But the data gap was particularly glaring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, potentially missing 75% of the population, according to a recent paper co-authored by CDC statisticians. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for glaring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glaring
Adjective
  • Catching sight of real-estate agents in listing photos long felt like blatant sloppiness or, less often, a bizarre Easter egg.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 29 Oct. 2026
  • This blatant robbery is the pending bill to ban the 68 Central Park horse carriages.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 22 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • This nebula, called the Red Spider Nebula, is scuttling around space while its central star, glowing bright red in the middle, ejects bursts of gas and dust.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Don’t miss wearable glass costumes, an interactive botanical soundscape, glowing geometric light sanctuaries, and works by Dale Chihuly and other modern masters.
    — Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Rather, a scowling Fernandez is portrayed as racially insensitive.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026
  • That is one of the tantalizing questions bubbling up in A Talent for Murder, in which Helen Mirren embodies Highsmith in all her devious, scowling genius.
    — Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • For a softer effect, a liner that closely matches the natural lip color can define the edge without creating an obvious outline.
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Whoever wins Congress inherits a stack of problems due to detonate over the next two years — just in time to crater 2028 ambitions — and few have obvious fixes.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 3 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • The abuse included shooting him with a BB gun, burning his genitals and forcing him to eat cat feces.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • As does a spot of blood on a piece of white cloth, or a burning red lantern on a pile of snow.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Jovovich captioned the photo, a close-up of her lookalike teenager staring into the camera.
    — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Instead of staring directly at the galaxy, look slightly beside it.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Spread out across expansive work stations that resemble gleaming kitchen cubicles, chefs spend their days whipping up meals from soup to nuts, a laboratory of sorts to create appetizing and easy dinners to make at home.
    — Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Spotting the lights less than a mile from his home, Wittlin turned onto a side street and pulled his gleaming red Pontiac Firebird over.
    — Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 1 Nov. 2026
Verb
  • Looking on was Trooper Major, body camera footage shows, frowning in the sun as the deputies followed guidance from a portable defibrillator device.
    — Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

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

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