Blatant vs. Flagrant
Sometimes the meanings of words are very similar, and they can be called synonyms-words that mean the same or nearly the same thing. The English language has many synonyms. Blatant and flagrant are synonyms. Let's look at their very similar meanings, and how they are slightly different in connotation (the feelings and emotions associated with a word in usage).
Blatant functions as an adjective and it describes someone or something that is unsubtle-open, unashamed, and conspicuous.
1. Sarah's blatant disrespect of the substitute teacher earned her a trip to the principal's office.
2. Did you see the blatant foul against our player?
3. The little boy's blatant refusal to follow his mother's instructions was met with a frown.
Flagrant also functions as an adjective. It also describes. behavior that is unsubtle, and that is openly obvious. However, it also has a connation of being offensive, outrageous, or scandalous. Not only is it obvious, but it is obviously offensive.
1. The flagrant personal foul from the player earned a chorus of boo's from the crowd.
2. The group of senior girls were so flagrant in their bullying of the freshmen that the principal gladly suspended them.
In everyday usage, bilatant and flagrant are interchangeable, and as long as you use either to describe behavior that is conspicuous and obvious, you should not receive criticism. However, if you want to be more precise in your language, remember that flagrant has the added connotation of being offensive.
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