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
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
Obviously, though, Russell took massive creative liberties that scandalized audiences and led to global censorship.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 22 June 2026
Angela’s widowed, insatiably romantic mother treated every day as a chance to scandalize her daughter and harmlessly flirt with everything nearby.
—Jp Mangalindan, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026
Fitzgerald himself was scandalized when, during a campus visit a decade after his time at the university, a member of the football team told him that his roommate knew of unreported Honor Code violations.
—Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for scandalize
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Douglas P. McCormick, Fortune, 23 June 2026
Obviously, though, Russell took massive creative liberties that scandalized audiences and led to global censorship.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 22 June 2026
Angela’s widowed, insatiably romantic mother treated every day as a chance to scandalize her daughter and harmlessly flirt with everything nearby.
—Jp Mangalindan, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026
Fitzgerald himself was scandalized when, during a campus visit a decade after his time at the university, a member of the football team told him that his roommate knew of unreported Honor Code violations.
—Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for scandalize
Cite this Entry
“Scandalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scandalize. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
