scandalous

adjective

scan·​dal·​ous ˈskan-də-ləs 

1

: libelous, defamatory

scandalous allegations

2

: offensive to propriety or morality : shocking

scandalous behavior

scandalously adverb

scandalousness noun

Synonyms of scandalous

• disgusting
• ugly
• sickening
• shocking
• horrible
• awful
• obscene
• hideous
• obnoxious
• offensive
• dreadful
• nasty

Examples of scandalous in a Sentence

Sex was a scandalous subject back then.

The magazine published scandalous pictures of the movie star.

The high price of gas these days is scandalous.

She was spreading scandalous rumors about him.

Recent Examples on the Web

But Pace achieved a major breakthrough being cast on the primetime soap adaptation of Peyton Place, the scandalous 1956 novel by Grace Metalious that was memorably adapted to the big screen the year after. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026

During a panel this week for skincare brand Aveeno, artist-activist-author Copeland, 43, weighed in on the Oscar nominee’s scandalous aside, which sparked backlash from dancers, opera singers and others last week. —Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026

But for women of Austen’s circumstances, living genteel lives without actual land or ample income, employment would have been inappropriate, even scandalous (recall Philadelphia’s slippery slope scenario), and therefore unthinkable. —Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026

McFadden’s scandalous tenure McFadden, 66, was first elected in 2018. —Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

scandalous

adjective

scan·​dal·​ous ˈskan-d(ə-)ləs 

1

: harmful to one's reputation : defamatory

denied the truth of the scandalous rumors

2

: shocking

scandalous behavior

scandalously adverb