GLARING Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

glaring 1 of 2

adjective

ˈgler-iŋ

Definition of glaring

as in blatant

very noticeable especially for being incorrect or bad no one missed the glaring spelling error in the title

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

glaring

2 of 2

verb

present participle of glare

as in glowing

to shine with a bright harsh light the spotlight glared down on the suspect as the police questioned him relentlessly

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in scowling

to look with anger or disapproval don't glare at me like that when I tell you "no"

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Samsung credits a dual-layer structure called Flex Titanium for flattening the display and turning what was once a glaring trench into a subtle seam. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 29 July 2026 Trump is now using the power of the federal government to drive the two sections further apart, a glaring act of division as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary. — David A. Graham, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026

Verb

Once launched, Eärendil-1 would deploy an 18-meter-wide steerable mirror to demonstrate that technological feat; anyone or anything in the path of its beam would see the satellite as a glaring dot shining up to four times brighter than a full moon. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 16 July 2026 This has been especially glaring considering the strong advances seen in the S & P 500 and many other indexes since the 2023 lows. — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for glaring

Recent Examples of Synonyms for glaring

Adjective

This blatant fealty over objectivity perverts the process by choosing personal loyalists instead of independent public servants.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
New assistant coach Alice Chilton is a blatant remodeling of Roy Kent — a brusque ex-soccer player who’s reluctant to engage with Ted’s tomfoolery or personal prodding — but Tanya Reynolds’ performance is equal turns wounded and witty.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of blatant

Verb

Observers can also catch a glimpse of the sun's outer atmosphere, known as the corona, glowing around the silhouetted moon.

— Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Nicole Kidman looked glowing, relaxed, and carefree while on a boating trip in Mykonos, Greece on August 5.

— Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of glowing

Adjective

His first season with Bayern Munich, after leaving Liverpool in summer 2023, brought decent numbers but obvious tactical issues, leading to a sale to Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia for nearly the same fee a year later.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
Film noir is the most obvious one, and much of the episode takes both its visual cues and its tone from classic noir.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of obvious

Verb

Very few things in movies and television shows delight me as much as a mysterious character revealing his or her fascinating backstory through an extended monologue that is delivered while staring off into the unspecified middle distance.

— Brian Grubb, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Remember, staring directly at the sun during the partial phases of an eclipse can cause permanent vision loss.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of staring

Verb

Is the constant construction noise, and view-blocking berm, disturbing the vibe for the people behind those enormous, gleaming picture windows?

— Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Bally’s intends to fulfill its obligations under the host agreement, according to sources, including the buildout of the gleaming 34-story hotel, which has already risen up to full height along the Chicago River at the future casino site.

— Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of gleaming

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

Definition of frowning

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glares

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glaringly

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“Glaring.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/glaring. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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