scandalous
adjective
scan·dal·ous
ˈskan-də-ləs 
1
: libelous, defamatory
scandalous allegations
2
: offensive to propriety or morality : shocking
scandalous behavior
scandalously
adverb
scandalousness
noun
Examples of scandalous in a Sentence
Sex was a scandalous subject back then.
The magazine published scandalous pictures of the movie star.
The high price of gas these days is scandalous.
She was spreading scandalous rumors about him.
Recent Examples on the Web
Throw in a scandalous tryst, a terrible fall, a bout of amnesia, a fake engagement and a wildly sexy, deeply romantic happily ever after, and this absolute banger will keep the pages turning all night long.
—
Staff Author, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
And this year's installation was one of the most eventful—and scandalous—in recent memory, after Miss Grand International (MGI) president Nawat Itsaragrisil made controversial comments regarding Miss Mexico, which led to multiple contestants walking out.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
The group navigates high-stakes breakups, scandalous secrets and shifting allegiances — both in the courtroom and within their own ranks — as well as a fierce rivalry with Sarah Paulson’s Carrington Lane.
—Peter White, Deadline, 24 Nov. 2025
The sets were worth the wait, moody and alluring and brimming with scandalous modern art and sour colors chosen to make the English Heritage building regulators faint.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scandalous
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Staff Author, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025
And this year's installation was one of the most eventful—and scandalous—in recent memory, after Miss Grand International (MGI) president Nawat Itsaragrisil made controversial comments regarding Miss Mexico, which led to multiple contestants walking out.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
The group navigates high-stakes breakups, scandalous secrets and shifting allegiances — both in the courtroom and within their own ranks — as well as a fierce rivalry with Sarah Paulson’s Carrington Lane.
—Peter White, Deadline, 24 Nov. 2025
The sets were worth the wait, moody and alluring and brimming with scandalous modern art and sour colors chosen to make the English Heritage building regulators faint.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scandalous
Cite this Entry
“Scandalous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scandalous. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scandalous
adjective
scan·dal·ous
ˈskan-d(ə-)ləs
1
: harmful to one's reputation : defamatory
denied the truth of the scandalous rumors
2
: shocking
scandalous behavior
scandalously
adverb
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