scandal

scan·dal | \ ˈskan-dᵊl

Definition of scandal

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a circumstance or action that offends propriety or established moral conceptions or disgraces those associated with it

b : a person whose conduct offends propriety or morality a scandal to the profession

2 : loss of or damage to reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety : disgrace

3 : malicious or defamatory gossip

4 : indignation, chagrin, or bewilderment brought about by a flagrant violation of morality, propriety, or religious opinion

5a : discredit brought upon religion by unseemly conduct in a religious person

b : conduct that causes or encourages a lapse of faith or of religious obedience in another

scandal

verb

scandaled; scandaling; scandals

Definition of scandal (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 chiefly dialectal : defame, slander

2 obsolete : disgrace

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about scandal

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Choose the Right Synonym for scandal

Noun

offense, sin, vice, crime, scandal mean a transgression of law. offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code. at that school no offense went unpunished sin implies an offense against moral or religious law. the sin of blasphemy vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts. regarded gambling as a vice crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state. the crime of murder scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience. a career ruined by a sex scandal

Examples of scandal in a Sentence

Noun There was a major scandal involving the mayor's ties with the Mob. Government officials were caught in an embezzlement scandal. Her behavior caused a scandal at school. There was never a hint of scandal during her time in office. The gossip magazine is filled with rumors and scandal. The high price of gas these days is a scandal. It's a scandal that this city doesn't have a movie theater.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun In the last days of his presidency in 1992, President George H.W. Bush pardoned six of his allies caught up in the Iran-contra scandal. — Washington Post, "Vice President Agnew’s misdeeds, and the challenges of holding him accountable," 18 Dec. 2020 In the general election, Dinkins narrowly defeated the Republican, Rudy Giuliani, who had risen to fame as the hard-charging federal prosecutor who convicted top figures in the scandal. — Tom Robbins, The New Yorker, "An Old Friend Remembers David Dinkins," 10 Dec. 2020 Her last video before news of her parents' involvement in the scandal broke on March 12, 2019 was a clothing haul posted the day prior. — Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, "Lori Loughlin's daughter Olivia Jade says she 'wasn't aware' of parents' actions," 9 Dec. 2020 Kruger became embroiled in the scandal shortly after The Oregonian/OregonLive revealed in February that the city had paid $600,000 to Fesser to settle his lawsuit. — oregonlive, "West Linn to send outside firm’s investigative report on bogus Michael Fesser theft case to fired police chief before making it public," 8 Dec. 2020 The statement was issued as several political parties called for an independent investigation into the police’s involvement in a scandal that has already cost the job of the minister in charge of veterinary affairs. — Morten Buttler, Bloomberg.com, "Danish Police Chief Denies Role in Illegal Mink-Cull Order," 20 Nov. 2020 Over his 31-year law career in Orange County, the Sheriff’s Department has careened from one corruption scandal to another. — Gustavo Arellano Columnist, Los Angeles Times, "Column: What in tarnation is going on with Southern California sheriffs and coronavirus?," 9 Dec. 2020 Earlier this year, the bank ousted former CEO Tidjane Thiam for failing to contain the reputational fallout from a scandal that involved bank staff being followed by private investigators. — Margot Patrick, WSJ, "Credit Suisse Taps Lloyds Boss as Next Chairman," 1 Dec. 2020 Pontius appreciates that the cards are full of real quotes and witnesses from the 1970’s scandal. — Marissa Miller, NBC News, "Best board games 2020: Unique quarantine gifts for couples," 13 Nov. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Social scientists predicted the Cambridge Analytica scandal way back in 2007. — Felix Salmon, WIRED, "The Case for A Zuck-Free Facebook," 3 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'scandal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.