a flagrant abuse of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a flagrant abuse of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something is behaving in a way that is obviously wrong or offensive. For example, "The student's repeated dishonesty was a flagrant abuse of the school's trust."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"This was a flagrant abuse of power," she said.

The Guardian

The commission's assignment is to see whether this payment constitutes a flagrant abuse of public trust.

The New York Times

This is a flagrant abuse of the trustee's authority and we will not succumb to his pressure".

The New York Times - Sports

She also took issue with the lawsuit as a "flagrant abuse" of a federal law intended to protect the exercise of religion.

The New York Times

We cannot allow the Tories to get away with using a flagrant abuse of power to impose the most severe austerity this country has seen since the second world war".

The Guardian

In a flagrant abuse of his constitutional position, George VI invited the prime minister on to the balcony of Buckingham Palace to receive the cheers of the crowds thronging the Mall.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

And, as we have said, unless the exaction is a flagrant abuse, and by reason of its arbitrary character is mere confiscation of particular property, it cannot be maintained that the state has exceeded its taxing power.

Cornell University

"Unless there's a really flagrant abuse of human rights Sisi's position is now very much second tier in relation to the commercial impact," said one oil industry executive.

The Guardian

Along the way there was a lot of flagrant abuse of the historical present: saying "Hannah's in a really difficult position right now" when, actually, Hannah died a really long time ago.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"This was a clear and flagrant abuse of the directory!" wrote one of the recipients.

The New York Times

While establishing criminal obstruction is tricky, those are all flagrant abuses of power.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase when the action is not only wrong but also openly and conspicuously so. The 'flagrant' nature emphasizes the brazenness or obviousness of the transgression.

Common error

Avoid using "a flagrant abuse of" in situations where the transgression is minor or debatable. The strong connotation can make your writing seem overly dramatic or biased in neutral contexts. Consider milder alternatives like "improper use of" or "misuse of" when a less emphatic tone is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a flagrant abuse of" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig's examples show it being used to describe unethical or illegal behavior, such as "a flagrant abuse of power" or "a flagrant abuse of human rights."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a flagrant abuse of" is a noun phrase used to express strong disapproval of actions that openly violate established rules, ethics, or laws. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, where it serves to condemn unethical behaviors. While powerful, it should be used judiciously to avoid overdramatization. Related phrases offer subtle alternatives, and understanding these nuances will allow you to select the most appropriate wording.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a blatant misuse of

Replaces "abuse" with "misuse", implying incorrect or improper use rather than necessarily malicious intent; "blatant" emphasizes the obviousness.

a gross violation of

Substitutes "abuse" with "violation", focusing on the transgression of rules or principles; "gross" underlines the severity.

a clear transgression of

Similar to 'violation', but 'transgression' can suggest crossing a boundary or limit.

an egregious breach of

"Breach" highlights the breaking of an agreement or law; "egregious" indicates that the breach is outstandingly bad or shocking.

a manifest exploitation of

"Exploitation" suggests unfair or selfish use, often for personal gain; "manifest" means it's clear and evident.

an unconscionable distortion of

"Distortion" implies twisting something from its true meaning or form; "unconscionable" suggests the action is shockingly unfair or unjust.

an outrageous perversion of

"Perversion" means twisting or corrupting something from its original or intended state; "outrageous" emphasizes the shocking nature.

a scandalous disregard for

"Disregard" indicates a lack of respect or consideration; "scandalous" highlights the public shame or outrage associated with the action.

a wanton disregard of

Replaces "abuse" with "disregard", implying a lack of care or concern; "wanton" suggests the disregard is deliberate and without justification.

an unscrupulous manipulation of

"Manipulation" suggests skillful but dishonest control; "unscrupulous" means lacking moral principles.

FAQs

How can I use "a flagrant abuse of" in a sentence?

You can use "a flagrant abuse of" to describe actions that are openly and obviously wrong or immoral. For example, "The politician's acceptance of bribes was a "flagrant abuse of" public trust." or "The company's pollution of the river is a "flagrant abuse of" environmental regulations."

What are some synonyms for "a flagrant abuse of"?

Some alternatives to "a flagrant abuse of" include "a blatant misuse of", "a gross violation of", "an egregious breach of", or "a scandalous disregard for". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

What does "flagrant" mean in the context of "a flagrant abuse of"?

In the phrase "a flagrant abuse of", "flagrant" means conspicuously or obviously offensive. It emphasizes that the abuse is not hidden or subtle, but rather open and blatant. Using "flagrant" intensifies the sense of outrage or disapproval.

Is it always appropriate to use "a flagrant abuse of", or are there times when it's too strong?

While grammatically correct, "a flagrant abuse of" carries a strong negative connotation. It's best reserved for situations where there is a clear and undeniable violation of standards, ethics, or rules. In more ambiguous or less severe situations, consider using milder terms such as "improper use of" or "misuse of".