scandalous

adjective

scan·​dal·​ous ˈskan-də-ləs How to pronounce scandalous (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century. Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Its products are scandalous, juicy, and all about girlhood just like the show, so the Hulu collab makes perfect sense. Cam Zhang, StyleCaster, 1 July 2025 That the Washington Post and local political leaders are just now figuring this out is scandalous and only emphasizes the ongoing need for reform. Roger Valdez, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 The bombastic politician, who reportedly spewed racist and homophobic comments and was once convicted of drunk driving, was elected mayor in 2010 for a scandalous term that led to international notoriety. Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for scandalous

Word History

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of scandalous was in 1575

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Cite this Entry

“Scandalous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scandalous. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

scandalous

adjective
scan·​dal·​ous ˈskan-d(ə-)ləs How to pronounce scandalous (audio)
1
: harmful to one's reputation : defamatory
denied the truth of the scandalous rumors
2
: shocking
scandalous behavior
scandalously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on scandalous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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