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adj. 1. Conspicuously bad, offensive, or reprehensible: a flagrant miscarriage of justice. See Usage Note at blatant. 2. Obsolete Flaming; blazing. [Latin flagrāns, flagrant-, present participle of flagrāre, to burn; see bhel-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] flagran·cy, flagrance n. flagrant·ly adv. Synonyms: flagrant, glaring, gross, egregious, rank2 These adjectives refer to what is conspicuously bad or offensive. Flagrant applies to what is offensive to a serious or appalling degree: flagrant disregard for the law; a flagrant example of racial prejudice. What is glaring is disturbingly or painfully obvious: a glaring error; glaring contradictions. Gross suggests a magnitude of offense or failing that cannot be condoned or forgiven: gross ineptitude; gross injustice. Something egregious is so offensive as to provoke outrage or condemnation: an egregious lie. What is rank is highly offensive or repugnant: rank stupidity; rank treachery. |
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