as in disgraces
a cause of shame
a scandal that for many years haunted the family of the banker convicted of embezzlement
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Recent Examples of scandals
For years, the LDP has been weighed down by election losses, stubborn inflation and political scandals, which have eroded public trust even as its new leader’s popularity surges.
—
Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Aside from his association with Epstein, Mandelson twice had to resign from senior government posts because of scandals over money or ethics.
—Jill Lawless The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026
So far, Charles has spent his time on the throne dealing with a series of scandals, at times facing public heckles and difficult questions about his brother.
—Nick Duffy, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Trapped by a storm with a ballroom full of suspects, Hannah must sift through secrets, scandals, and sparkling masks to unmask a killer before the night ends.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Since then, even with IOC president Kirsty Coventry essentially dismissing the Epstein revelations about Wasserman, among some influential Angelenos a private consensus was taking shape that the exec had to leave before his scandals risked overwhelmed the 2028 Games themselves.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
He was caught up in the Spygate and Deflategate scandals during his time.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Today, a new generation of NFL boldface names who have kept clear of personal scandals — think Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Travis Kelce, Lamar Jackson, Bo Nix, Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, Christian McCaffrey and Jayden Daniels — has been a significant help in rehabilitating the NFL brand.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
These are strange, unqualified people whose already worrisome scandals seem to have their own sub-scandals.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Aside from his association with Epstein, Mandelson twice had to resign from senior government posts because of scandals over money or ethics.
—Jill Lawless The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 5 Feb. 2026
So far, Charles has spent his time on the throne dealing with a series of scandals, at times facing public heckles and difficult questions about his brother.
—Nick Duffy, NBC news, 5 Feb. 2026
Trapped by a storm with a ballroom full of suspects, Hannah must sift through secrets, scandals, and sparkling masks to unmask a killer before the night ends.
—Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 4 Feb. 2026
Since then, even with IOC president Kirsty Coventry essentially dismissing the Epstein revelations about Wasserman, among some influential Angelenos a private consensus was taking shape that the exec had to leave before his scandals risked overwhelmed the 2028 Games themselves.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
He was caught up in the Spygate and Deflategate scandals during his time.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 Jan. 2026
Today, a new generation of NFL boldface names who have kept clear of personal scandals — think Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Travis Kelce, Lamar Jackson, Bo Nix, Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, Christian McCaffrey and Jayden Daniels — has been a significant help in rehabilitating the NFL brand.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 28 Jan. 2026
These are strange, unqualified people whose already worrisome scandals seem to have their own sub-scandals.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 24 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for scandals
Noun
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Our running live blog has a good summary of the affair, including celebrity endorsements and reflections on the performance.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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Employees saw their own reflections in Ava’s glassy eyes.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Peel-and-stick tiles are also more susceptible to surface damage (such as scratches and stains), so consider this when choosing where to install them.—
Cori Sears,
The Spruce,
11 Feb. 2026
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Emily Brontë’s novel is a book that stains — its emotions seep through generations, its hatreds metastasize, its love transforms into something unholy and permanent.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Scandals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scandals. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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