What does outrageousness mean?
Outrageousness is a noun that describes the quality of being outrageous, especially in the sense of being shockingly wrong, offensive, excessive, or absurd. It can name the degree to which conduct or a situation departs from accepted moral or social standards: a response may condemn not merely a decision but its sheer outrageousness. The word also has the more specific sense of an outrageous act or instance of misconduct. In ordinary use, it carries a strongly negative and often indignant tone rather than a neutral description, and it may suggest that a situation is so extreme that it appears almost absurd. Compared with the related adjective outrageous, which directly labels a person, action, or thing, outrageousness focuses on the quality itself, often as the subject of public criticism or moral objection.
The quality or degree of being outrageous, especially shockingly offensive, excessive, or absurd.
"The outrageousness of the allegations shocked everyone present."
Strongly evaluative; commonly used to express indignation at conduct, treatment, or claims.
An instance of outrageous or scandalous conduct.
"The newspaper described the dismissal as an outrage against basic standards of fairness."
This sense is less common and often occurs in formal or literary contexts.
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon; the word is normally used in the singular as an abstract noun.
"The report catalogued the different outrageousnesses of the regime's rule."
Outrageousness is the noun form of the everyday judgment that something is so extreme, shocking, or absurd that it defies a serious response.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does outrageousness come from?
The word is formed from the adjective outrageous, which in turn develops from outrage. Outrage ultimately comes through Old French from Latin tutela, a noun associated with protection or defense, and earlier outraiger meant to oppress or harm beyond what is customary. In English, outrage developed senses involving excessive or objectionable conduct before the adjective outrageous and the noun outrageousness were formed. The modern word belongs to a family including outrage, outraged, outrageous, and outrageously.
How outrageousness is actually used
Usually used with strong disapproval or in contexts emphasizing extreme impropriety, excess, or absurdity. It is more common in formal reporting and criticism than in neutral everyday description.
Easily confused with outrageousness
Outrageousness is a noun naming a quality or state, whereas outrageous is primarily an adjective describing something that is shocking or extreme.