flagitious

[ fluh-jish-uhs ]

adjective

1. shamefully wicked, as persons, actions, or times.
2. heinous or flagrant, as a crime; infamous.

flagitious

/ fləˈdʒɪʃəs /

adjective

1. atrociously wicked; vicious; outrageous

Derived Forms

• flaˈgitiousness, noun
• flaˈgitiously, adverb

Other Words From

• fla·gitious·ly adverb
• fla·gitious·ness noun
• nonfla·gitious adjective
• nonfla·gitious·ly adverb
• nonfla·gitious·ness noun
• unfla·gitious adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of flagitious¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English flagicious, from Latin flāgitiōsus, equivalent to flāgiti(um) “shame, scandal” + -ōsus -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of flagitious¹

C14: from Latin flāgitiōsus infamous, from flāgitium a shameful act; related to Latin flagrum whip

Example Sentences

It may produce wicked, flagitious, tyrannical acts; but in no country is it law.

From Project Gutenberg

For the ambiguous advantages which overgrown wealth and flagitious tyranny have to bestow?

From Project Gutenberg

This was a wholesome scheme of vengeance as flagitious and vindictive as it was heartless and unprincipled.

From Project Gutenberg

To punish this flagitious deed, and restore his dominion in Italy, the emperor sent a fleet and army into the Adriatic Gulf.

From Project Gutenberg

All this was done under the forms of law, and yet it would be hard to find in the annals of crime an instance more flagitious.

From Project Gutenberg