1
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
the scandalous news that police officers had been taking bribes
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in erroneous
causing or intended to cause unjust injury to a person's good name
spread a scandalous rumor about a coworker that almost cost him his job
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of scandalous
During a panel this week for skincare brand Aveeno, artist-activist-author Copeland, 43, weighed in on the Oscar nominee’s scandalous aside, which sparked backlash from dancers, opera singers and others last week.
—
Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
But for women of Austen’s circumstances, living genteel lives without actual land or ample income, employment would have been inappropriate, even scandalous (recall Philadelphia’s slippery slope scenario), and therefore unthinkable.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
McFadden’s scandalous tenure McFadden, 66, was first elected in 2018.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
Most recently, the scandalous conflict between Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott and Baltimore City Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming highlights the vital role an inspector general can play in public accountability and fiscal stewardship.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scandalous
Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
But for women of Austen’s circumstances, living genteel lives without actual land or ample income, employment would have been inappropriate, even scandalous (recall Philadelphia’s slippery slope scenario), and therefore unthinkable.
—Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026
McFadden’s scandalous tenure McFadden, 66, was first elected in 2018.
—Briah Lumpkins, Charlotte Observer, 4 Mar. 2026
Most recently, the scandalous conflict between Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott and Baltimore City Inspector General Isabel Mercedes Cumming highlights the vital role an inspector general can play in public accountability and fiscal stewardship.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 4 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for scandalous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scandalous
Adjective
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The amount of disrespect shown the Broncos is disgusting.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
27 Mar. 2026
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Building Alligator Alcatraz and being proud of treating people inhumanely while at the same time stealing money for his charity is disgusting.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The stalemate stems from Democrats’ insistence on immigration-enforcement reform — particularly, the cruel and often erroneous enforcement that is sending shockwaves of fear throughout immigrant populations and even distressing American-citizen residents of Puerto Rico.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
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Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas addressed an erroneous report from earlier in the week with understanding while also making his feelings clear.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Gavin Newsom loves to brag about his accomplishments as governor — a syndrome that sometimes backfires when reality raises its ugly head.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Stocks are quickly deteriorating, with each of the major averages on pace to post an ugly month of losses as hopes for a quick resolution to the Middle East conflict gives way to fear.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Breuer also accused Moore of using a Jan. 26 news conference, four days after the building was evacuated, to spread falsehoods about the company, which Breuer said could be deemed libelous.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
5 Mar. 2026
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In recent weeks, though, her group has doubled in size, and while in the past there were only two or three posts per day, Mitchell and her new moderators now have to wade through 60-plus comments ranging from helpful to libelous.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Thanks to Epperson’s goal from the front-left side of the crease in the second OT, the Pioneers avoided a sickening taste of déjà vu.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2026
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Every repeat viewing of Abraham's performance reveals some new moment of humiliation — some fresh sickening glimmer of anguish that feels all too familiar.—
Devan Coggan,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The group’s ads on his past felony bank fraud charges were decried by Ford as slanderous.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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Keefer called these claims baseless and slanderous.—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The exhibition pairs their work together, showing the value of shocking style in a moment of conservatism.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
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Pastor Stephen Perumalla said the circumstances are shocking.—
Tony Aiello,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The unpredictability of campaigns means that conventional wisdom about frontrunners and inevitability frequently proves incorrect.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Mar. 2026
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Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self told The Star on Wednesday morning that internet reports of an imminent retirement announcement are incorrect.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scandalous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scandalous. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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