Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation; shockingly excessive or unfair. This meaning describes something that is unreasonable, extreme, or far beyond what is acceptable.
   • Grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror or shock. This meaning describes something that is deeply shocking, morally repugnant, or horrifying.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The company charged an outrageous price for a simple repair. (This shows something is shockingly excessive and unfair.)
  • The dictator's outrageous cruelty towards his own people was condemned worldwide. (This shows something is morally horrifying and offensive.)
  • She told an outrageous lie that no one could believe. (This shows something is shockingly excessive and beyond reason.)
  • The conditions in the factory were outrageous and inhumane. (This shows something is grossly offensive to decency.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be outrageous": to behave in a shockingly bold, excessive, or unconventional way.
  • The comedian's jokes were so outrageous that half the audience was gasping.
• "outrageous fortune": a phrase, famously from Shakespeare's ("the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune"), referring to the extreme and cruel blows dealt by fate or life's circumstances.

Variants and Related Words

• Outrage (n/v): (n) an extremely strong reaction of anger, shock, or indignation; (v) to provoke such feelings by being shocking or offensive.
  • The new law caused public outrage.
  • His comments outraged the community.
• Outrageously (adv): in an outrageous manner.
  • The bill was outrageously high.

Synonyms

• Exorbitant: (of a price or amount) unreasonably high.
• Extortionate: (of a price) excessively high; akin to robbery.
• Unconscionable: not right or reasonable; shockingly unfair.
• Appalling: causing shock or dismay; horrific.
• Atrocious: horrifyingly wicked; of very poor quality.

Antonyms

• Reasonable: fair and sensible.
• Moderate: average in amount, intensity, or quality; not extreme.
• Acceptable: able to be tolerated or allowed.
• Decent: conforming with generally accepted standards of morality.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Beyond the pale: unacceptable or outside the bounds of civilized behavior (similar in meaning to the second definition of "outrageous").
  • His behavior at the meeting was beyond the pale.
• Highway robbery: used informally to describe a price that is outrageously high and unfair.
  • Ten dollars for a cup of coffee? That's highway robbery!

Adjective

1. greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
   • exorbitant rent
   • extortionate prices
   • spends an outrageous amount on entertainment
   • usurious interest rate
   • unconscionable spending
2. grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
   • subjected to outrageous cruelty
   • a hideous pattern of injustice
   • horrific conditions in the mining industry