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
Lewinsky would later have a scandalous affair with Bill Clinton, who was impeached for lying about it.
—
Jonathan Zimmerman, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
This middle weekend of the Games is a nice time to take stock of the events at Milan Cortina, which have ranged from the shocking to the unsurprising to the scandalous.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Lewinsky would later have a scandalous affair with Bill Clinton, who was impeached for lying about it.
—Jonathan Zimmerman, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Although some House members use their position to develop expertise, legislate, or conduct oversight, the bare minimum for the job in both parties has always been to show up and vote the way the party leadership tells you, and refrain from saying or doing anything scandalous.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scandalous
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Jonathan Zimmerman, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
This middle weekend of the Games is a nice time to take stock of the events at Milan Cortina, which have ranged from the shocking to the unsurprising to the scandalous.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
Lewinsky would later have a scandalous affair with Bill Clinton, who was impeached for lying about it.
—Jonathan Zimmerman, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Although some House members use their position to develop expertise, legislate, or conduct oversight, the bare minimum for the job in both parties has always been to show up and vote the way the party leadership tells you, and refrain from saying or doing anything scandalous.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scandalous
Cite this Entry
“Scandalous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scandalous. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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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