egregious
adjective
egre·gious
i-ˈgrē-jəs 
1
: conspicuous
especially
: conspicuously bad : flagrant
egregious errors
egregious padding of the evidence —
Christopher Hitchens
Christopher Hitchens 2
archaic
: distinguished
egregiously
adverb
egregiousness
noun
Did you know?
Egregious comes from a Latin word meaning "distinguished" or "eminent." It was once a compliment to someone who had a remarkably good quality that placed him or her above others. Today, the meaning of the word is noticeably less complimentary, possibly as a result of ironic use of its original sense.
Synonyms
Examples of egregious in a Sentence
… the public perception is that too many corporate executives have committed egregious breaches of trust by cooking the books, shading the truth, and enriching themselves with huge stock-option profits while shareholders suffered breathtaking losses.
—John A. Byrne et al., Business Week, 6 May 2002
History cannot be rewritten, but some of its more egregious errors can be corrected—at least in part, at least symbolically. … Or so assume a growing number of human-rights advocates.
—Ellis Cose, Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2001
an egregious example of political bias
the student's theme was marred by a number of egregious errors in spelling
John A. Byrne et al., Business Week, 6 May 2002
History cannot be rewritten, but some of its more egregious errors can be corrected—at least in part, at least symbolically. … Or so assume a growing number of human-rights advocates.
—Ellis Cose, Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2001
an egregious example of political bias
the student's theme was marred by a number of egregious errors in spelling
Recent Examples on the Web
Some egregious bills even force invasive genital examinations on student athletes.
—Trans Formations Project, Them, 17 Jan. 2025
In what many consider Carrey's most egregious Oscar snub, The Truman Show saw the actor blend comedy and drama as Truman Burbank, a man whose entire life has been broadcast to the world without his knowledge.
—Brendan Le, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Yet, for me, life without parole remains an egregious injustice.
—Billie Allen, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Even in recent years, Washington’s omission has felt increasingly egregious.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for egregious 
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Trans Formations Project, Them, 17 Jan. 2025
In what many consider Carrey's most egregious Oscar snub, The Truman Show saw the actor blend comedy and drama as Truman Burbank, a man whose entire life has been broadcast to the world without his knowledge.
—Brendan Le, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Yet, for me, life without parole remains an egregious injustice.
—Billie Allen, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
Even in recent years, Washington’s omission has felt increasingly egregious.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for egregious
Dictionary Entries Near egregious
Cite this Entry
“Egregious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/egregious. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
egregious
adjective
egre·gious
i-ˈgrē-jəs
: very noticeable
especially
: glaringly bad
egregious errors
egregiously
adverb
egregiousness
noun
Legal Definition
egregious
adjective
egre·gious
i-ˈgrē-jəs
: extremely and conspicuously bad
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