outrageous
/aʊtˈreɪdʒəs
/adjective
1Shockingly bad or excessive: an outrageous act of bribery...
- This is, as been stated, one of the most outrageous acts I have ever seen.
- We need the people who are responsible for these stupid and outrageous acts to come to their senses and put a stop to it.
- It was an outrageous act and what was really upsetting from my point of view is that the referee did not look at it.
Synonyms
shocking, disgraceful, scandalous, atrocious, appalling, abhorrent, monstrous, heinous;
evil, wicked, abominable, terrible, horrible, horrid, horrendous, dreadful, hideous, foul, nauseating, sickening, vile, villainous, nasty, ghastly, odious, loathsome, shameful, infamous, nefarious, iniquitous, unspeakable, intolerable, insufferable, insupportable, unendurable, unbearable;
impossible, exasperating, offensive, maddening, distressing;
immoderate, exorbitant, unreasonable
British informal over the top, OTT, steep, beastly
1.1Wildly exaggerated or improbable: the outrageous claims made by the previous government...
- Jimmy was nearly disqualified under the rule that says you have to present an unlikely tale of outrageous fortune to claim a lottery prize.
- There were also outrageous exaggerations on the cafeteria scene circulating around the school.
- They can present any outrageous claim they choose to without even having to go through the motions of defending it.
Synonyms
far-fetched, unlikely, highly unlikely, doubtful, dubious, questionable, implausible, unconvincing, unbelievable, incredible, ridiculous, preposterous, extravagant, elaborate, high-flown, overdramatic, overdone, sensationalized, excessive, overstated, inflated, highly coloured
2Very bold and unusual and rather shocking: her outrageous leotards and sexy routines...
- He was bold, outrageous, witty, shocking and sympathetic without being the least bit soppy or sentimental.
- It is a target rather than an outrageous boast, but should he achieve it, perhaps then he will be considered by observers to be an unqualified success.
- It reminds me of being a student when I used to wear mildly outrageous things, rather than the standard business attire I wear nowadays.
Synonyms
eye-catching, startling, striking, flamboyant, showy, flashy, gaudy, ostentatious, dazzling;
saucy, shameless, brazen, brash, unspeakable, adventurous, bold, daring, audacious, swashbuckling, defiant, daredevil, shocking
Derivatives
outrageousness
/ noun ...- It is perhaps not his most accessible novel - you certainly won't enjoy it if religious ideas leave you bored to tears - but for the sheer scale, complexity and outrageousness of the ideas involved it's among the best of his novels.
- But be prepared, because this apocalyptic farce, which boasts some sensational performances, goes on too long, hitting you over the head with outrageousness.
- In the above-mentioned tour of Europe, the tone, the pace, the lightning put-downs and generalities are beautifully poised in their mix of outrageousness and shrewd observation.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French outrageus, from outrage 'excess' (see outrage).