Synonyms of scandalous

scandalous

adjective

ˈskan-də-ləs 

1

as in disgusting

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment

the scandalous news that police officers had been taking bribes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disgusting
• ugly
• sickening
• shocking
• horrible
• awful
• obscene
• hideous
• obnoxious
• offensive
• dreadful
• nasty
• unpleasant
• appalling
• evil
• odious
• revolting
• gross
• abominable
• gruesome
• repulsive
• repugnant
• loathsome
• distasteful
• abhorrent
• horrid
• horrific
• terrible
• nauseating
• noxious
• horrendous
• disturbing
• repellent
• foul
• undesirable
• noisome
• fulsome
• vile
• nauseous
• rancid
• objectionable
• unwanted
• hateful
• monstrous
• horrifying
• disagreeable
• detestable
• despicable
• miserable
• contemptible
• heinous
• unsavory
• grim
• unhealthy
• unspeakable
• unwholesome
• lurid
• ghastly
• grisly
• macabre
• atrocious
• unwelcome
• exceptionable
• frightful
• brackish
• execrable
• sick
• nightmarish
• unholy
• dislikable
• ungodly
• upsetting
• unchristian
• uncivilized
• barbarous
• lousy
• hard
• distressing
• sickly
• sickish
• off-putting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• innocuous
• acceptable
• desirable
• attractive
• delightful
• delicious
• inoffensive
• sweet
• alluring
• pleasant
• dreamy
• agreeable
• gratifying
• appealing
• delectable
• felicitous
• enjoyable
• heavenly
• congenial
• nice
• luscious
• satisfying
• pleasurable
• welcome
• darling
• palatable
• likable
• pleasing
• savory
• inviting
• blessed
• unobjectionable
• dulcet
• unexceptionable
• wholesome
• healthy
• healthful
• salutary
• salubrious
• restorative
• delightsome

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• erroneous
• libelous
• slanderous
• incorrect
• defamatory
• calumnious
• false
• unfavorable
• inaccurate
• malicious
• unflattering
• untrue
• objectionable
• uncomplimentary
• derogatory
• wrong
• invidious
• depreciatory
• disparaging
• inexact
• hateful
• unsound
• invalid
• spiteful
• denigratory
• depreciative
• detractive
• malevolent
• denigrative
• off
• maligning
• vilifying
• traducing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• favorable
• complimentary
• appreciative
• true
• accurate
• correct
• valid
• laudatory
• factual
• right
• sound
• hagiographic
• eulogistic
• adulatory
• commendatory
• errorless

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of scandalous

Another royal-adjacent resident of Adelaide Cottage was Peter Townsend, the British Royal Air Force officer who had a scandalous romance with Princess Margaret in the 1940s and ‘50s. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 23 Aug. 2026

Maybe the queen begins a scandalous affair with a new lover as a betrayal takes place around a campfire in another town. — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026

The classification of flowers was considered scandalous because [people] didn’t want to allow students to be looking at the male and female parts of flowers. — Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 30 July 2026

No More have been reliably unpredictable since Patton joined as the permanent singer in 1988, launching an erratic and sometimes scandalous classic era that lasted more or less until their first split in 1998. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026