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
Their inability to stick to Brown’s offensive script is just one of a few glaring examples of new rights this team has wronged midway through what was beginning to look like a season worthy of its championship billing. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 4 Jan. 2026 There’s obviously a very glaring juxtaposition, being a huge streamer and a catalyst for TV and film being watched from home, and the convenience of that. Katie Campione, Deadline, 2 Jan. 2026
Verb
An era of glaring inequality was also a golden age of graft. Snigdha Poonam, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025 Getting into that Dodgers’ bullpen — the team’s one glaring weakness — is one of the keys to this series. Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for glaring
Recent Examples of Synonyms for glaring
Adjective
  • Some of these skew toward the quirkier side, and a couple are blatant reaches (January wish lists are where our most delirious aspirations belong, after all).
    Ava Wallace, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2026
  • These bans are blatant discrimination, and the Court should say so.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Glow-in-the-dark outsoles represent glowing engine headers, and the shoe’s color-shifting eggplant purple upper takes a page from custom car wraps.
    Riley Jones, Footwear News, 7 Jan. 2026
  • On Monday, the actress uploaded a new selfie showing off her glowing complexion.
    Hannah Malach, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Now our favorite scowling friend is getting his own movie, too.
    Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 15 Oct. 2025
  • In terms of my entry point to him, just understanding that this wasn’t a monster that was going to be scowling in the shadows and looking for any opportunity to hurt someone.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The proximity to Lincoln Center was an obvious draw for musicians, and renters included an avant-garde composer on the sixth floor, a bassist on the fourth, and an opera teacher on the ground level.
    Will Ellis, Curbed, 6 Jan. 2026
  • After successfully training rookie Jackson West, Angela sets her sights on becoming a detective while trying to ignore her obvious chemistry with defense attorney Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore).
    Tanya Melendez, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The prescribed fire has been burning on federal land managed by the United States Forest Service for four days.
    CA WILDFIRE BOT, Sacbee.com, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The company built a retail and residential complex around the county’s Coconut Grove Metrorail station, and Martin also is pitching an incinerator site in western Miami-Dade as an alternative to the Levine Cava plan to rebuild the trash-burning facility in Doral.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 4 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Below-average play is often staring you right in the face while catastrophe lurks around the corner.
    Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • The face in question, below, involves Sherman staring with her mouth agape.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Santostock Modern Gold Wall Sconces, Set of 2 With their gleaming hardware and cylindrical glass shades, these robust yet elegant sconces will transform your living space.
    Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
  • All rooms feel spacious and sleek, thanks to 12-foot ceilings, six-foot-high windows, custom lighting and furnishings, and gleaming wood finishes.
    Sandra Ramani, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • One mask depicts a frowning hobo with a 5 o'clock shadow that represents the aforementioned vagrant.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Dec. 2025
  • Derek Hinkey’s character, the Shoshone warrior Red Feather, is almost always frowning at white settlers, looking undeniably foreboding with his face slathered in black paint and galloping on horseback into battle.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Glaring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glaring. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

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