scandal

noun

scan·dal | \ ˈskan-dᵊl

Definition of scandal

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

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

3a : 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

4 : malicious or defamatory gossip

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

scandal

verb

scandaled; scandaling; scandals

Definition of scandal (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 obsolete : disgrace

2 chiefly dialectal : defame, slander

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

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Synonyms & Antonyms for scandal

Synonyms: Noun

disgrace, dishonor, opprobrium, reflection, reproach

Antonyms: Noun

credit, honor

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

Drama, scandal, secrets, self-care, and Nicole Kidman: Yes, the show is shaping up to be a kind of Big Little Lies redux (even as Kidman still stars on season two of the HBO show, premiering this June with new cast member Meryl Streep). — Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, "Will Nicole Kidman’s Nine Perfect Strangers Be the New Big Little Lies?," 1 May 2019 In response to the recent controversy surrounding Jordyn's cheating scandal, with Khloe Kardashian's ex-boyfriend Tristan Thompson, the brand took an uncalled-for shot at Jordyn's latest selfie, which showed off a cute short haircut. — Alyssa Hardy, Allure, "Bellami Hair Just Apologized to Jordyn Woods For Posting a Meme About Her "Bad Hair"," 14 Mar. 2019 Cheating scandals are unfortunately nothing new between Khloé and Tristan. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "How Kylie Jenner and the Kardashians Reacted to Tristan Thompson and Jordyn Woods' Cheating Allegations," 20 Feb. 2019 Was the Gary Hart scandal something that was on your radar prior to making this film? — Adam Rathe, Town & Country, "The Front Runner's Sara Paxton on Playing Donna Rice and the Unfathomable Glare of Political Scandal," 6 Nov. 2018 Whatever trust users still had in Facebook following the Cambridge Analytica scandal has been eroding bit by bit by bit throughout the summer. — Kurt Wagner, Recode, "Why should anybody trust Facebook with their personal data?," 28 Sep. 2018 After news of the college admissions scandal broke on Tuesday morning, organizations were quick to distance themselves from those charged. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Hallmark Drops Lori Loughlin and Sephora Dumps Olivia Jade in Fallout from the College Scandal," 14 Mar. 2019 Not surprisingly, the nationwide college cheating scandal was one of the Hot Topics on The View Wednesday morning. — Kayla Keegan, Good Housekeeping, "'The View' Stars Joy Behar and Meghan McCain Got Heated Over the College Admissions Scandal," 13 Mar. 2019 Reported by The Real Deal, three real estate developers were also indicted in the scandal—Miami developer Robert Zangrillo and Los Angeles developers Bruce Isackson of WP Investments and Robert Flaxman of Crown Realty. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "Real Estate Developers Indicted Over College Admissions Scam," 13 Mar. 2019

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.