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

Erin Krakow, who plays Elizabeth Thatcher, just posted to social media for the first time since the scandal broke. — Blair Donovan, Country Living, "'When Calls the Heart' Star Erin Krakow Speaks Out Amid the Lori Loughlin Drama," 9 Apr. 2019 The five bills come in the wake of the national college-admissions scandal that has putshone a spotlight on methods used by some wealthy and powerful people to get around the normal college-admissions process. — Alejandro Lazo, WSJ, "California Lawmakers Look to Reform College Admissions After Scandal," 28 Mar. 2019 In April 2016, her father emailed William Singer, the man at the center of the current scandal, according to documents filed by the Justice Department. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "How Lori Loughlin and Her Husband Mossimo Giannulli Became Involved in the College Admissions Scandal," 13 Mar. 2019 So, check out these facts about Olivia (and learn more about the scandal that is making her a household name). 1. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Who is Olivia Jade? All About the YouTuber At the Center of the College Bribery Scandal," 13 Mar. 2019 Schrage, who reports directly to Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, took the decision to step down in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal back in June and is due to be replaced next year by former UK deputy prime minister Nick Clegg. — Jon Porter, The Verge, "Facebook’s outgoing head of public policy takes blame for Definers scandal," 21 Nov. 2018 Flahaven says its too early to tell if the admissions scandal will affect giving. — Norman Vanamee, Town & Country, "Will the Admissions Cheating Scandal Hurt College Fundraising?," 29 Mar. 2019 The scandal made national headlines causing her to lose partnerships with Sephora, Estee Lauder, and TRESemme. — Scarlett Newman, Teen Vogue, "Olivia Jade's Beauty Line Trademarks Might Be Rejected Due to Bad Grammar," 28 Mar. 2019 So, how is Kylie Jenner doing post-Jordyn Woods betrayal/scandal? — Marina Liao, Marie Claire, "Kylie Jenner's Sheer T-Shirt Dress Is Just $35 and Still Available," 20 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.