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

Sanchez-Bezos seems to have wanted to send a message through her own look for the night — a Schiaparelli gown riffing off of the John Singer Sargent portrait of Madame X, a depiction of a socialite that caused its own scandalous reception. —Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 4 May 2026

From Cher's once-scandalous sheer gown in 1974 to Cara Delevingne and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's headline-making political statements in 2021, the event has long been a stage for bold, conversation-starting fashion. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026

In Near, the Court considered the constitutionality of a Minnesota public nuisance statute that allowed authorities to shut down scandalous and defamatory periodicals. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Apr. 2026

The New England Patriots' latest scandal Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel left his team on Day 3 of the draft this year, turning his attention to his family after several scandalous photos of him and NFL reporter Dianna Russini leaked in recent weeks. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 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