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

Looks like the Church had the right idea, but unfortunately the nuns continued to ruin people's lives for decades following their scandal. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, ""Riverdale" Midseason Premiere's Most Shocking Moments," 17 Jan. 2019 In a nearly perfect irony, the company hosted a pop-up event on privacy in New York City as news of its latest privacy scandal spread—another example of a band-aid that only transparency and actual security could ever hope to solve. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "Facebook's Latest Leak Is a Timely Reminder That Your Data Is Snagged Even Before You Hit Publish," 14 Dec. 2018 In the wake of its emissions scandal, Volkswagen Group has been on a mission to reinvent itself. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "We’ve driven Audi’s first proper electric car, the 2019 e-tron SUV," 7 Dec. 2018 In the same world where that video of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez dancing is actually a political scandal I would be executed in the center of town for many old instant messenger conversations about the awesomeness of Dave Matthews Band. — Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Leaked College Dancing Video Has the Internet Obsessed," 4 Jan. 2019 When there is a scandal for example, someone must leave. — Jessi Hempel, WIRED, "The Rise And Fall of Uber HR Chief Liane Hornsey," 11 July 2018 In any other charity such numbers would be a scandal, if not a target of the IRS. — Sally Jenkins, chicagotribune.com, "The USOC needs a leader who cares about athletes more than expense accounts," 5 July 2018 And that may be the biggest Pruitt scandal of them all. — Ed Kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Scandalous EPA Chief Scott Pruitt Finally Resigns," 5 July 2018 Yesterday, it was revealed that the photo was staged as an elaborate prank, à la Justin Bieber's burrito scandal. — Isabel Greenberg, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kylie Jenner and Her Sisters Shut Down Fake Travis Scott Cheating Rumors," 6 Dec. 2018

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.