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

Before marrying Charlene in 2011, Albert’s playboy reputation grew over his scandalous affairs, including with a German topless model and multiple other women. —Martha Ross, Mercury News, 18 June 2025

Three Kissimmee police officers were fired and two others were demoted following a lengthy investigation into the scandalous excessive force case that has plagued the department for months, Kissimmee police Chief Charles Broadway announced Wednesday. —Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 June 2025

Modern historians largely contest the most scandalous of these claims. —Diana Arterian june 16, Literary Hub, 16 June 2025

Some of late broadcast icon Barbara Walters' infamous, informative interviews sometimes landed in scandalous territory, according to the View creator's longtime friend and fellow TV journalist Cynthia McFadden. —Joey Nolfi Published, EW.com, 11 June 2025

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