Outrageous is an adjective with two main senses. It can describe something that is shockingly excessivefar more than is normal, proper, or acceptable or unreasonablyin a way that is not fair, logical, or sensible high, and it can also describe behavior or events that are morally shocking, offensive, or horrifyingcausing strong fear, shock, or disgust.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /aʊtˈreɪdʒəs/
Easy pronunciation: out-RAY-jus (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the second syllable: RAY.
Primary sense: greatly exceeding what is reasonable or moderate.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Outrageous Meaning
extremely high, excessive, or unfairly expensive
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: greatly exceeding what is reasonable or moderate
Example: The hotel charged an outrageous price for a tiny room.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- exorbitant — Used for prices, demands, or amounts that are far too high.
- extortionate — Especially used for very high prices or charges that feel unfair.
- steep — Common in everyday English for prices or increases that are higher than expected.
- unconscionable — Can mean far beyond what is fair or acceptable, though it is more formal.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Outrageous
Meaning 2
shocking, cruel, or offensive
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: grossly offensive, shocking, or morally wrong
Example: The report described the prisoners’ outrageous treatment.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- hideous — Can mean extremely shocking or awful, though it is often used more broadly.
- horrid — Can describe something very unpleasant or shocking, but it is less specific.
- horrific — A strong fit for something that causes horror or intense shock.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Outrageous Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- exorbitant
- extortionate
- steep
- unconscionable
grossly offensive, shocking, or morally wrong
- hideous
- horrid
- horrific
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not use outrageous only to mean 'angry'; it usually describes something extreme, shocking, or unacceptable.
- Do not mix the 'too expensive' sense with the 'morally shocking' sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does outrageous mean in simple English?
It usually means extremely excessive or unfair, or else shockingly bad or offensive.
What are the best synonyms for outrageous?
For the 'too much' sense, good synonyms are exorbitant, extortionate, steep, and unconscionable. For the 'shocking or offensive' sense, good synonyms are horrific, horrid, and hideous.
Is outrageous a positive or negative word?
It is usually negative. It often suggests that something is excessive, unfair, shocking, or morally wrong.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-26. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.