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
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
The 1999 adaptation of Mansfield Park features notable departures from Austen's 1814 novel, including bringing colonialism and slavery to the forefront, adding in a few scenes that would be considered scandalous in the author's time and making the film's heroine more like Austen herself.
—
Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
And this year's installation was one of the most eventful—and scandalous—in recent memory, after Miss Grand International (MGI) president Nawat Itsaragrisil made controversial comments regarding Miss Mexico, which led to multiple contestants walking out.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
The group navigates high-stakes breakups, scandalous secrets and shifting allegiances — both in the courtroom and within their own ranks — as well as a fierce rivalry with Sarah Paulson’s Carrington Lane.
—Peter White, Deadline, 24 Nov. 2025
The sets were worth the wait, moody and alluring and brimming with scandalous modern art and sour colors chosen to make the English Heritage building regulators faint.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scandalous
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Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
And this year's installation was one of the most eventful—and scandalous—in recent memory, after Miss Grand International (MGI) president Nawat Itsaragrisil made controversial comments regarding Miss Mexico, which led to multiple contestants walking out.
—Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2025
The group navigates high-stakes breakups, scandalous secrets and shifting allegiances — both in the courtroom and within their own ranks — as well as a fierce rivalry with Sarah Paulson’s Carrington Lane.
—Peter White, Deadline, 24 Nov. 2025
The sets were worth the wait, moody and alluring and brimming with scandalous modern art and sour colors chosen to make the English Heritage building regulators faint.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scandalous
Cite this Entry
“Scandalous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scandalous. Accessed 4 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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