Egregious
hardNegative toneih-GREE-juhs
adjective
Definition
conspicuously and outrageously bad
Memory hook
EGREGIOUS = E (out) + GREG (flock, as in 'gregarious')—a blunder so bad it stands OUT from the whole flock; conspicuously awful.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“The audit uncovered egregious errors that should never have passed review.”
“His egregious breach of trust cost him both his job and his friendships.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The audit uncovered ______ errors that should never have passed review.”
Show answer
egregious
Synonyms
Antonyms
Categories
GRE Tip
Egregious is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "flagrant" or "glaring" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "minor".
Related GRE Words
unconscionable
Not right or reasonable; excessive; unscrupulous
approbation
official or warm approval and praise
deprecate
to express strong disapproval of; to belittle
felicitous
well-chosen and apt; pleasingly suitable
grandiloquent
pompous or inflated in language; using lofty, bombastic speech
nefarious
extremely wicked or villainous
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