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
The three centers are all decent but have a glaring restriction. Law Murray, New York Times, 18 May 2026 The most glaring example, of course, is the president himself. David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 18 May 2026
Verb
Following last year’s Louvre heist, a new report released by a French parliamentary commission on May 13 sheds light on glaring security deficiencies within the country’s cultural institutions. News Desk, Artforum, 14 May 2026 Despite all that momentum, the club is still dealing with one glaring issue — injuries. Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for glaring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glaring
Adjective
  • The rogues’ gallery of killers released by the Parole Board came with rap sheets often marked by blatant disregard for human life.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
  • Once beloved, Miasma fell from grace over the years thanks to a series of shitty sequels plus later generations’ reappraisal of the films’ blatant misogyny and transphobia.
    Rachel Handler, Vulture, 14 May 2026
Verb
  • With more than 2,000 glowing five-star reviews, this streamlined shirt is destined to become your newest wardrobe staple.
    Kate Donovan, Southern Living, 18 May 2026
  • Long before glowing storefronts, crowded shopping malls, and overnight deliveries became the norm, everyday commerce in America moved at a much slower, more intimate pace.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • But there’s more to Brind’Amour than the person fans see screaming and scowling behind the bench or stomping around the dressing room in a postwin video looking like some combination of Godzilla and Chris Farley’s famous Matt Foley character.
    Cory Lavalette, New York Times, 7 May 2026
Adjective
  • That was unusually blunt from the typically genial Pritzker, who’s mainly tried to keep a public lid on his obvious irritation with Johnson.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
  • Find the topic gaps nobody is filling Every niche has angles that are obvious in hindsight.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Verb
  • Heard whole, the Barber-Menotti product is as gloriously over the top as anything that Bette Davis ever made with William Wyler—and Heartbeat’s reduction of it to its burning cinders is as just as effective as Glyndebourne’s grandly eloquent take.
    Russell Platt, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
  • In the northernmost part of Delaware, coal-burning steam locomotives still chug along historic rails, pulling travelers in antique passenger coaches.
    Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • For the first time in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Avs’ mortality was staring them in the face.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 23 May 2026
  • But the biggest thing worth cheering for is that fans won’t have to spend hours staring at brake lights on I-95.
    JP Shaffer, Miami Herald, 22 May 2026
Verb
  • The coaster with a max speed of 66 mph took more than 20,000 hours to construct and at least 9,000 gallons of white paint for its gleaming appearance.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026
  • The galaxy's heart shines brightly in the image, with gleaming rays of light radiating from its center while gas and dust swirls around.
    Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • Hubbard posted an image of herself with a disgusted look on her face from earlier in Season 10, while Dillard shared a photo of himself frowning, also from a scene in the show.
    Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Glaring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glaring. Accessed 24 May. 2026.

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