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

• abhorrent
• abominable
• appalling
• awful
• disgusting
• distasteful
• dreadful
• evil
• foul
• fulsome
• gross
• hideous
• horrendous
• horrible
• horrid
• loathsome
• nasty
• nauseating
• nauseous
• noisome
• noxious
• obnoxious
• obscene
• odious
• offensive
• rancid
• repellent
• repellant
• repugnant
• repulsive
• revolting
• shocking
• sickening
• ugly

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

Clive Owen as Bill Clinton in Impeachment: American Crime Story (2021) Clive Owen transformed into Bill Clinton for the third season of American Crime Story, which depicts the president's scandalous affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky (Beanie Feldstein). —EW.com, 4 July 2024

Although Arngrim pointed out that this might seem scandalous in 2024, the culture on a 1970s TV set was much different. —Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 15 June 2024

As Nixon was surrounded by his own scandalous circumstances, Agnew took a generous plea deal and resigned in October 1973 while pleading no contest to one count of federal income tax evasion. —Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 31 May 2024

The case was so scandalous newspapers didn’t dare reprint the testimony. —Amber Hunt, The Enquirer, 1 May 2024

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