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
In between were a series of peaks and valleys, some scandalized in the tabloids, others kept behind closed doors until after the couple finalized their divorce in August 1996.
—
Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
This particular family is estranged because the parents were scandalized when their daughter Johanna abandoned her young husband and her legal studies for an American art teacher and a career as a painter in the United States.
—Elaine Blair, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
His immigration policy aims to scandalize a broad class of voting citizens by demonizing the non-citizen minority.
—Ben Bayer, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026
Its jarring vision of family and class scandalized many and vaulted Bellocchio into the forefront of his country’s cinema.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scandalize
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Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026
This particular family is estranged because the parents were scandalized when their daughter Johanna abandoned her young husband and her legal studies for an American art teacher and a career as a painter in the United States.
—Elaine Blair, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
His immigration policy aims to scandalize a broad class of voting citizens by demonizing the non-citizen minority.
—Ben Bayer, Oc Register, 16 Feb. 2026
Its jarring vision of family and class scandalized many and vaulted Bellocchio into the forefront of his country’s cinema.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 15 Feb. 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 7 Mar. 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
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