outrageous
Americanadjective
-
of the nature of or involving gross injury or wrong.
an outrageous slander.
-
grossly offensive to the sense of right or decency.
outrageous behavior; an outrageous remark.
-
passing reasonable bounds; intolerable or shocking.
an outrageous price.
- Synonyms:
- appalling, unthinkable
-
violent in action or temper.
-
highly unusual or unconventional; extravagant; remarkable.
a child of the most outrageous precocity; a fancy dive performed with outrageous ease.
adjective
-
being or having the nature of an outrage
-
grossly offensive to decency, authority, etc
-
violent or unrestrained in behaviour or temperament
-
extravagant or immoderate
Synonym Usage
See flagrant.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of outrageous
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Middle French outrageus. See outrage, -ous
Explanation
Something outrageous is extreme, over the top, beyond reason. It's hard to believe, and usually not in a good way. If the police came in and stole your TV, that would be outrageous. If you know what outrage means, then you're on your way to understanding outrageous. Outrageous things make people outraged, really angry, or astounded because they're just so ridiculous. If your teacher gave everyone an F for no reason, that would be outrageous. If a friend spilled your secrets to everyone: outrageous. Lady Gaga rolling up to the Grammy’s in a giant egg? Totally outrageous, but in a wacky and extravagant kind of way.
Vocabulary lists containing outrageous
The Cay
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Stargirl
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Tears of a Tiger
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
All the more reason to pour cold water on outrageous claims about flagging little enzymes in huge databases.
From Salon ● Sep. 30, 2026
She told BBC Newsnight the proposed 94% hike in Wandsworth, a south-west London borough run by the Tories, was "outrageous".
From BBC ● Sep. 18, 2026
The Danish artist behind "Pillar of Shame", Jens Galschiot, called the outcome of the trial and the statue's potential confiscation "outrageous".
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
“The accusations made today…were outrageous lies,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
She has 2 new pages of ideas, and she reads each outrageous proposal.
From "The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl" by Stacy McAnulty
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
