scandalize

verb

scan·​dal·​ize ˈskan-də-ˌlīz 

scandalized; scandalizing

transitive verb

1

: to offend the moral sense of : shock

She was scandalized by his behavior.

2

archaic : to speak falsely or maliciously of

3

archaic : to bring into reproach

Examples of scandalize in a Sentence

She was scandalized by her son's behavior.

Recent Examples on the Web

The prospect of Mamdani’s mayoralty scandalized many of New York’s power brokers, some of whom vowed to stop him in the November general election. —Mark Chiusano, Time, 14 Aug. 2025

An accomplished classical violinist and wool-skirt woman of the old school, she was scandalized. —Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2025

But, in 1830, what scandalized Palmer’s fellow-Americans was his beard. —Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 July 2025

Turns out, Yun had fallen in love with Marcello’s father Alfredo (Luca Zingaretti) — a relationship that doesn’t seem to scandalize anyone, not even Marcello’s mom Lorella (Sabrina Ferilli). —Peter Debruge, Variety, 8 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for scandalize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

Kids Definition

scandalize

verb

scan·​dal·​ize ˈskan-də-ˌlīz 

scandalized; scandalizing

1

archaic : to speak of in a false or vicious way

2

: to shock the moral sense of

their actions scandalized the neighbors