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outrageous

outrageous

192 4.2
Shocking and very wrong in a way that upsets people
  • adjective
  • /ˌaʊtˈreɪdʒəs/
translation icon : escandaloso
  • It is a work of journalism, of outrageous superficiality.
  • outrageous behavior
  • an outrageous act
  • outrageous violence

But I had to do things, outrageous thing to get attention.

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Examples

  • But why was such an outrageous offense punished with what many believed to be nothing more than a slap on the wrist?

  • Isn't this an outrageous sort of thing to be doing?

  • l find this outrageous, especially coming from you.

  • Now that's outrageous to say what you just said.

  • That was truly outrageous, says Jem.

  • They said his demands were outrageous.

  • The war in Sudan raged on with outrageous, systematic violations of human rights.

  • ...this is the most outrageous spectacle I've ever witnessed.

  • After about ten minutes of listening to Fiona's semihysterical telling of her outrageous story, Jeremy interrupted.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • The company's outrageous prices have driven away many loyal customers.

Synonyms

disgusting
vsoutrageous
531 1.3

Causing a strong feeling of dislike or making you feel sick

is more about moral outrage and shocking badness than physical revulsion
shocking
vsoutrageous
278 3.4

Very surprising and upsetting in a way that makes people angry or sad

is narrower on moral offense, not just surprise or vivid shock
horrific
vsoutrageous
179 5.5

Causing great fear or shock

is about shocking immorality or offensiveness rather than frightening detail
hideous
vsoutrageous
171 5.1

Very ugly and likely to make people feel shocked or disgusted

is centered on moral or decency shock rather than physical ugliness
appalling
vsoutrageous
87 5.6

Causing shock and strong disgust because it is very bad

leans more toward moral or decency offense rather than general horror
egregious
vsoutrageous
58 8.9

Very bad and obvious in a way that shocks people

is closer to moral offensiveness rather than merely being conspicuously bad
horrid
vsoutrageous
52 4.1

A very unpleasant thing that shocks or disgusts you

focuses specifically on moral shock and breach of decency
disgraceful
vsoutrageous
46 3.0

Very bad or shocking behaviour that makes people lose respect

stresses shocking moral offensiveness rather than only causing shame
scandalous
vsoutrageous
  • Literature
43 5.0

Causing shock or strong disapproval by offending people's ideas of right and wrong

focuses more on shocking immorality itself than on public scandal
repugnant
vsoutrageous
42 7.8

Very unpleasant and morally wrong to most people

is similar but stresses public shock at moral wrong rather than inner disgust
deplorable
vsoutrageous
38 6.8

Very bad and unacceptable, deserving strong criticism

is the same shock but highlights moral offensiveness to decency standards
obscene
vsoutrageous
  • Offensive
37 5.7

Very shocking and upsetting to many people because it breaks moral rules

is about shocking badness or immorality more broadly beyond specific acts
abominable
vsoutrageous
24 7.2

Very bad or morally wrong so people strongly dislike it

is similar but highlights the element of public shock and outrage
abhorrent
vsoutrageous
23 7.7

Causing strong dislike or disgust because people see it as morally wrong

is more about causing public shock or outrage than private dislike
iniquitous
vsoutrageous
  • Formal
2 9.8

Very unfair and wrong in a way that harms people

emphasizes shock or offense rather than formal moral wrongness
highly offensive
vsoutrageous
  • Offensive
2 6.6

Very rude and likely to make people feel angry or hurt

is broader, meaning shockingly bad or immoral beyond mere insult

Antonyms

683 1.0

Normal and not special or unusual

595 2.7

Fair and sensible in thinking and behavior

477 2.5

Good enough for a particular use or standard

Compounds

A rude or extreme remark that shocks people

How Offensive

egregious
58 8.9
outrageous
192 4.2
scandalous
  • Literature
43 5.0
offensive
  • Offensive
261 4.0
inappropriate
354 3.7

Surface Forms

outrageous positive
outrageously positive

Morphology

outrageous = outrage (transparent) = outrage + ous

The adjective is directly formed from the noun 'outrage' with the productive suffix '-ous', so learners who know 'outrage' can infer 'outrageous' as 'causing or characterized by outrage'.

Etymology

Outrageous comes from the word outrage, which originally meant 'beyond the limits' and is related to the simple word out. So an outrageous action goes past what is right or decent, which is why it feels shocking and offensive.