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

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

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