scandalous

adjective

scan·​dal·​ous ˈskan-də-ləs How to pronounce scandalous (audio)
1
: libelous, defamatory
scandalous allegations
2
: offensive to propriety or morality : shocking
scandalous behavior
scandalously adverb
scandalousness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One thing that could help a comeback is playing to your scandalous side, Schulman says. Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 19 May 2025 The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 2 The never-ending thirst for more scandalous Mormon content is real. Rebecca Aizin, People.com, 16 May 2025 Her nose for injustice sniffs out scandalous truths, among both superrich oligarchs and public-welfare institutions like orphanages starved of sufficient funding. Dennis Harvey, Variety, 16 May 2025 Lefty Williams Williams was a starting pitcher for the 1919 White Sox during their scandalous World Series run. Matt Moret, New York Times, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for scandalous

Word History

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scandalous was in 1575

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Cite this Entry

“Scandalous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scandalous. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

scandalous

adjective
scan·​dal·​ous ˈskan-d(ə-)ləs How to pronounce scandalous (audio)
1
: harmful to one's reputation : defamatory
denied the truth of the scandalous rumors
2
: shocking
scandalous behavior
scandalously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on scandalous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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