outrageous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "outrageous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something shocking or unexpected, as well as to express extreme anger or surprise. Example: "I can't believe you did that, it's outrageous!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said: "It's outrageous that students exercising their traditional democratic right to protest have been persecuted in this way".

The Guardian

This is outrageous".

The New York Times - Health

The number of boarding groups began to resemble something like a caste system; "change fees," which have always been outrageous, grew higher (two hundred dollars for domestic, three hundred dollars for international), while baggage fees soared to as high as a hundred dollars.

The Economist

Sure, it was funny, but it was also an outrageous breach of seismic etiquette.

The Guardian - Opinion

The prices match the outrageous history though: rooms from $415 plus tax to $4,500, [phone], chateaumarmont.com "I am a Golden God!" It is 1975, the height of rock's heyday, and Robert Plant, Led Zeppelin's debonair vocalist, declares his rock star status from his hotel balcony.

The Guardian - Travel

But it's not just the outrageous threats, misogynistic abuse and so on that emphasise the importance of the movement.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Related: Empire: the outrageous black family drama that's changing the look of US TV There are other reasons to cut the show loose, first and foremost being simple expense.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He looks sheepish and laughs: "Look, were one to say Ruskin's entire view were beside the point, it would be outrageous – ludicrous.

The Guardian - Film

The extras include a performance of Misty Circles on 80s kids programme Razzmatazz, and a cover version of Rebel, Rebel in which Burns convincingly impersonates an entire girl band, but what makes this DVD stand out is the outrageous camp fun of the live Japanese shows.

The Guardian - Film

This casual carelessness, this tacit acceptance of outrageous terms and conditions, is, as far as we can tell, universal across internet users everywhere.

The Guardian - Tech

The last 25 minutes of the game produced 20 points and it was fitting that Whineray should score the final try of the tour, taking a pass from his centre Paul Little, before ignoring Colin Meads outside him to sell an outrageous dummy to the Barbarians full-back and touching down beneath the posts.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "outrageous" to describe situations that evoke disbelief and indignation, ensuring the context clearly conveys the severity of the issue.

Common error

Avoid using "outrageous" to describe minor inconveniences or disagreements. Its strength is best reserved for truly shocking or morally reprehensible situations to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The word "outrageous" functions primarily as an adjective. It is used to modify nouns, describing something as extremely unacceptable, shocking, or offensive. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the word's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "outrageous" is an adjective used to express strong disapproval or shock. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in news and media contexts. Its primary function is to describe something as highly unacceptable or offensive, conveying a strong negative sentiment. While versatile, it should be reserved for situations that genuinely warrant a strong reaction to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "shocking" or "scandalous" can be used to fine-tune the nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shocking

Refers to something that causes surprise and often dismay.

scandalous

Implies a violation of moral or legal standards causing public outrage.

unconscionable

Highlights that something is so unfair or wrong that it is hard to accept.

appalling

Suggests something that is deeply disturbing or horrifying.

egregious

Emphasizes that something is conspicuously bad or offensive.

unacceptable

Indicates something that cannot be tolerated or approved of.

unjustifiable

Indicates that something cannot be defended or excused.

atrocious

Conveys that something is extremely wicked or brutal.

offensive

Suggests something is causing someone to feel resentful or upset.

monstrous

Implies something is shockingly inhuman or cruel.

FAQs

How can I use "outrageous" in a sentence?

You can use "outrageous" to describe something shocking or unacceptable. For example, "It's "outrageous" that they raised the prices without warning."

What can I say instead of "outrageous"?

You can use alternatives like "shocking", "scandalous", or "unacceptable" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "outrageous" or "offensive"?

"Outrageous" implies a higher degree of shock or moral indignation than "offensive". "Outrageous" suggests something deeply wrong, while "offensive" simply means causing displeasure.

What's the difference between "outrageous" and "egregious"?

"Outrageous" suggests something shocking or morally unacceptable, while "egregious" emphasizes that something is conspicuously bad or offensive. The latter often implies a flagrant violation.