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 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

Unfolding one of the most scandalous crimes in Sweden; a five-person murder/suicide in Stockholm’s upper classes, experienced from the point of view of a young woman. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 May 2026

The resulting book is scandalous, funny and delicious. —Michael Schaub, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026

Does that strike you as scandalous? —Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2026

There’s Cameron Diaz in 2002, wearing a sheer dress that if at the time was scandalous today is, merely, standard. —José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 12 May 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