adjective

egregious

/ɪˈɡriːdʒəs/ · say it: ih·GREE·jus

outstandingly bad

In From the Opinion Pages

In more detail

1. (adjective) extremely bad or offensive in a way that is very noticeable and unacceptable

Examples

The company's egregious lack of safety standards led to the accident.

How to use egregious

Egregious describes something so obviously and offensively wrong that it demands attention or condemnation. It is commonly used in formal and critical contexts—legal, academic, or journalistic—when describing violations, mistakes, or injustices. Unlike merely 'bad' or 'wrong', egregious emphasizes that the fault is conspicuous and inexcusable.

Common phrases

egregious error
egregious violation
egregious breach
egregious example
egregiously unfair

Synonyms

outrageous · flagrant · glaring · shocking · abhorrent

Opposites

minor · trivial · acceptable

Word family

egregiously (adverb) · egregiousness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use egregious for minor problems or mild disapproval, when it should be reserved for serious, unmistakable wrongdoing.

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