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 au naturel prix-fixes ignited controversy the moment the restaurant’s flyer started circulating on social media in late June, with most chatter ranging from joking to serious, bawdy to scandalized. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026

Iraq similarly felt scandalized that its sovereignty had been so blatantly affronted and disregarded. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Plenty of Americans seem scandalized that more Western Europeans don’t embrace the technological miracle of AC. — Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026

The Gilded Age fortunes that scandalized their contemporaries became, within a generation, the universities, museums and hospitals that form America’s civic backbone. — Douglas P. McCormick, Fortune, 23 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for scandalize

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

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