scandalize
verb
scan·dal·ize
ˈskan-də-ˌlīz 
scandalized; scandalizing
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
Or are those who end up scandalized at fault for taking the obvious bait in the first place?
—
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2024
As with a provocative runway show, some people were scandalized.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
The story scandalized the community; Gracie went to jail.
—Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2024
Dickens knew of Marian Evans, the assistant editor of the Westminster Review who had scandalized London by living with a married man.
—Namwali Serpell, The New York Review of Books, 12 Oct. 2023
The artist is always one step ahead—and has a unique power to scandalize each generation anew.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2023
But remember when people were scandalized over teenage Spears moaning about leaving behind her name and age?
—Ada Tseng, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2023
Gautreau looks queenly today, but the painting scandalized Parisians, who saw it as vulgar and attention-grabbing — especially the loose shoulder strap, which Sargent duly repainted in a more decorous position.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 20 Nov. 2023
Hammer of the Gods and being scandalized by that book.
—Evan Minsker, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2023
Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2024
As with a provocative runway show, some people were scandalized.
—Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
The story scandalized the community; Gracie went to jail.
—Aatish Taseer, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2024
Dickens knew of Marian Evans, the assistant editor of the Westminster Review who had scandalized London by living with a married man.
—Namwali Serpell, The New York Review of Books, 12 Oct. 2023
The artist is always one step ahead—and has a unique power to scandalize each generation anew.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2023
But remember when people were scandalized over teenage Spears moaning about leaving behind her name and age?
—Ada Tseng, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2023
Gautreau looks queenly today, but the painting scandalized Parisians, who saw it as vulgar and attention-grabbing — especially the loose shoulder strap, which Sargent duly repainted in a more decorous position.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 20 Nov. 2023
Hammer of the Gods and being scandalized by that book.
—Evan Minsker, Pitchfork, 19 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scandalize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near scandalize
Cite this Entry
“Scandalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scandalize. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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