egregious

[ ih-gree-juh s, -jee-uh s ]

/ ɪˈgri dʒəs, -dʒi əs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR egregious ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

extraordinary in some bad way; glaring; flagrant: an egregious mistake; an egregious liar.

Archaic. distinguished or eminent.

Nearby words

egotist, egotistic, egotropic, egr, egr valve, egregious, egress, egression, egressive, egret, egypt

Origin of egregious

1525–35; < Latin ēgregius preeminent, equivalent to ē- e-¹ + greg-, stem of grēx flock + -ius adj. suffix; see -ous

Related forms

e·gre·gious·ly, adverbe·gre·gious·ness, nounnon·e·gre·gious, adjectivenon·e·gre·gious·ly, adverb

non·e·gre·gious·ness, nounun·e·gre·gious, adjectiveun·e·gre·gious·ly, adverbun·e·gre·gious·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for egregious

Perhaps one of the most egregious examples is the abuse of civil asset forfeiture laws.
Are Police Stealing People’s Property?|Joan Blades, Matt Kibbe|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Here are just a few of the most egregious uses of lethal force by Chicago police.
Chicago’s Cops Don’t Even Get Investigated for Shooting People in the Back|Justin Glawe|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The most egregious uses of lethal force have been borne by people with intellectual disabilities and children.
Worse Than Eric Garner: Cops Who Got Away With Killing Autistic Men and Little Girls|Emily Shire|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
To call Wild an emotional film would be an egregious disservice to its astounding journey to screen.
Crying With Laura Dern: The Star on Her Oscar-Worthy ‘Wild’ Turn|Kevin Fallon|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Conditions are worsening and the Rodney King verdict is certainly not the most egregious injustice in our midst.
‘Why Have I Lost Control?’: Cory Booker in ’92 on Rodney King Echoes Ferguson|Cory Booker|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He felt every glance of Fournel's eye a contemptuous comment upon his deformity, now so egregious and humiliating.
The Lane That Had No Turning, Complete|Gilbert Parker
By Hugo's brother I will be tried on no charge;—seeing that he is, was, and ever will be—in charity I speak it—an egregious fool.
Three Courses and a Dessert|Anonymous
They are extremely poor, egregious liars, the greatest thieves in the world, and very treacherous.
A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Vol. II|Robert Kerr
That I have been making a most egregious fool of myself, sir,” replied I, “with respect to the de Clares.
Japhet in Search of a Father|Frederick Marryat
I give you my word, the appointment of Mr. Butterfield will be an egregious political blunder.
The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Two|Abraham Lincoln

British Dictionary definitions for egregious

egregious

/ (ɪˈɡriːdʒəs, -dʒɪəs) /

adjective

outstandingly bad; flagrantan egregious lie

archaic distinguished; eminent

Derived Forms

egregiously, adverbegregiousness, noun

Word Origin for egregious

C16: from Latin ēgregius outstanding (literally: standing out from the herd), from ē- out + grex flock, herd

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012