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
Tesla’s flashy unveiling of its Cybercab robotaxi in 2024 left some glaring questions unanswered. Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 10 Sep. 2026 Venus is often referred to as Earth's twin due to its size, mass, rocky composition, and distance from the sun, but there are some glaring differences between the two planets. Robert Lea, Space.com, 8 Sep. 2026
Verb
Utah was expected to win handily and the Utes showed no glaring weaknesses in the blowout. ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026 The goal was to address a glaring shortage of childcare; most of the city is classified by social service agencies as a childcare desert. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for glaring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glaring
Adjective
  • The Founders never predicted that a president, his Cabinet, Department of Justice, Supreme Court and Congress would not challenge the blatant illegality that has been happening over the past two years.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Sometimes the signs have been as blatant as the night Arsenal were confirmed as Premier League champions being his birthday (May 19).
    Art de Roché, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • And, as the popularity of K-beauty has spread, more and more travelers are flocking to South Korea in hope of achieving the glassy, glowing skin Instagram feeds are replete with.
    Anna Haines, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Pastel Colonial buildings lined the streets, their facades glowing in the afternoon sun, while the plazas hummed with life.
    Chantelle Kincy, Travel + Leisure, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • Often the most fascinating questions are the ones with no obvious or direct rewards.
    Jeanna Bryner, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026
  • If an offside decision is obvious, the VAR clears it immediately.
    Graham Scott, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • In a small town, several dead people are brought back to life through a strange ritual involving burning duck manure.
    Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Increasing greenhouse gas concentrations, largely from burning fossil fuels, have pushed global temperatures so high that sea levels are rising, and shrinking glaciers and thawing permafrost are leaving mountainsides less stable.
    Tarun Gopalakrishnan, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • While everyone else is staring at dot plots and hanging on Jensen Huang's every utterance, Illumina (ILMN) has been quietly doing what good charts do.
    Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
  • But that’s not how the VAR system works, because the Premier League fears that every key decision would end with the ref staring at the pitchside monitor.
    Graham Scott, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • And in lower Manhattan, the old twin towers of the World Trade Center still stand sentry in Macken's miniature Gotham, albeit alongside One World Trade Center and the other gleaming skyscrapers constructed after the 2001 terror attacks.
    CBS News, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026
  • With black and white balloons covering the ceiling, dark red flowers blooming around the venue, and silver streamers gleaming in the candlelight, the soirée certainly paid homage to the label’s sophisticated uptown DNA.
    Aaron Royce, Vogue, 17 Sep. 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 23 Sep. 2026.

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