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

The first Gossip Girl book was released in 2002, debuting the cutthroat world of Manhattan's elite via a group of teens and their equally ruthless parents, all watched over by an all-seeing — and all-telling — mysterious online figure eager to spill their scandalous secrets. —Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Feb. 2026

For the bans on Proust and other international writers only applied to translations, allowing those with sufficient linguistic ability to consume scandalous masterpieces from abroad in their original form. —Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026

And in 1968, asking them to hold hands in public was scandalous, even in Culver City. —Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026

Despite their union's scandalous origins, Daphne and Simon are a love match. —Emily Kelleher, InStyle, 30 Jan. 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