scandalous

adjective

ˈskan-də-ləs How to pronounce scandalous (audio)
Definition of scandalousnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of scandalous These new exhibitions — an examination of American Pop Art, a closer look at the scandalous painting that rocked early 20th-century France and an immersive celebration of Yoko Ono — are all worth the trek. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 11 June 2026 Where is Fanny amongst all this scandalous conduct and penning of literary masterpieces? — Literary Hub, 5 June 2026 Writers, poets, artists, scandalous lovers, and attention-seeking glitterati have all passed through here. — Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2026 There’s nothing in this that’s particularly scandalous or even particularly interesting. — NBC news, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for scandalous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scandalous
  1. disgusting
  2. erroneous
  3. ugly
  4. libelous
  5. sickening
  6. slanderous
  7. shocking
  8. incorrect
Adjective
  • Where critics see disgusting piles of stuff, hoarders see more.
    — Shivali H. Patra, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
  • Noah Kahan is speaking out about a disgusting habit picked up by some music fans.
    — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 29 June 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • Another problem was an erroneous assumption about the longevity of fillers.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026
  • In addition, the trial judge gave the jury erroneous instructions, the appeals court ruled.
    — David Hilzenrath, USA Today, 2 July 2026
Definition of erroneous
Adjective
  • Even when Romanzy goes off on how stupid and ugly Caleb is — and gossips that his parents abandoned him because something must be wrong with him — Mary goes along with it.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
  • Featuring the good, the bad and the ugly, ‘Look of the Week’ is a regular series dedicated to unpacking the most talked about outfit of the last seven days.
    — Bianca Betancourt, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
Definition of ugly
Adjective
  • Questions concern how the courts would assess who or what might be responsible for faulty algorithms or other flaws in system design and whether a robot was negligent or malicious when disseminating libelous content damaging individuals or organizations.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
  • 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
Definition of libelous
Adjective
  • The 2022 spill was the largest ever from the Keystone pipeline, killing or sickening 2,700 animals.
    — Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 10 July 2026
  • But there are multiple Ebola strains, and those vaccines, treatments, and tests aren’t effective against the rarer strain, Bundibugyo, sickening people today.
    — Alice Park, Time, 2 July 2026
Definition of sickening
Adjective
  • Societies throughout history have punished language deemed blasphemous, seditious, inciting or slanderous.
    — Paul Quigley, The Conversation, 13 July 2026
  • The group’s ads on his past felony bank fraud charges were decried by Ford as slanderous.
    — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Definition of slanderous
Adjective
  • The Packers then blew a 21-3 halftime lead in the Wild Card round against Chicago, gave up 25 fourth quarter points and eventually suffered a shocking 31-27 loss to the arch-rival Bears.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
  • Here’s a look back at the most infamous, shocking, blood-curdling or mysterious crimes and disasters that captured the attention of the nation — and the world.
    — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026
Definition of shocking
Adjective
  • Inspectors also noticed that cold foods were being held at incorrect temperatures, according to the report.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • In the suit, they are referred to as a guidance counselor and principal, which the school district’s attorneys claim is incorrect.
    — Austin Horn July 14, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026
Definition of incorrect

Browse Nearby Words

scandalmongers
scandalous
scandals
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Cite this Entry

“Scandalous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scandalous. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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