scandalous

adjective

scan·​dal·​ous ˈskan-də-ləs 

1

: libelous, defamatory

scandalous allegations

2

: offensive to propriety or morality : shocking entry 1

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

According to city documents, the story behind the ordinance change dates back to the early 2000s, when scandalous stories of fraudulent South Florida psychics made headlines. — Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2026

When Cyrus flipped her Disney Channel image on its head during her late-teen years, generating tabloid headlines over drug use and scandalous performances, Parton publicly stood by her. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Another royal-adjacent resident of Adelaide Cottage was Peter Townsend, the British Royal Air Force officer who had a scandalous romance with Princess Margaret in the 1940s and ‘50s. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 23 Aug. 2026

Her subsequent death thrusts Reacher into a massive conspiracy involving corrupt law enforcement, a scandalous politician and terrorists. — Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 12 Aug. 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