1
a
: a circumstance or action that offends propriety or established moral conceptions or disgraces those associated with it
b
: a person whose conduct offends propriety or morality
a scandal to the profession
2
: loss of or damage to reputation caused by actual or apparent violation of morality or propriety : disgrace
3
: malicious or defamatory gossip
4
: indignation, chagrin, or bewilderment brought about by a flagrant violation of morality, propriety, or religious opinion
5
a
: discredit brought upon religion by unseemly conduct in a religious person
b
: conduct that causes or encourages a lapse of faith or of religious obedience in another
scandaled; scandaling; scandals
Synonyms
Examples of scandal in a Sentence
Noun
There was a major scandal involving the mayor's ties with the Mob.
Government officials were caught in an embezzlement scandal.
Her behavior caused a scandal at school.
There was never a hint of scandal during her time in office.
The gossip magazine is filled with rumors and scandal.
The high price of gas these days is a scandal.
It's a scandal that this city doesn't have a movie theater.
Recent Examples on the Web
James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
However the constitution grants the president the power to preemptively excuse individuals, the most famous case being Gerald Ford granting President Nixon a pardon for his role in the Watergate scandal.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 7 June 2023
Ohio Democrats meanwhile have struggled in the past to tie Republicans to scandal.
—Andrew J. Tobias, cleveland, 25 July 2021
See all Example Sentences for scandal 
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Noun
Both were among 15 officers linked to a racist text message scandal in the Torrance Police Department.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
However the constitution grants the president the power to preemptively excuse individuals, the most famous case being Gerald Ford granting President Nixon a pardon for his role in the Watergate scandal.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
Produced by Uforia and Pitaya Entertainment, the first season of En Boca Cerrada reveals heartbreaking details about the disturbing case, reminiscent of the Jeffrey Epstein and R. Kelly scandals.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 7 June 2023
Ohio Democrats meanwhile have struggled in the past to tie Republicans to scandal.
—Andrew J. Tobias, cleveland, 25 July 2021
See all Example Sentences for scandal
Dictionary Entries Near scandal
Cite this Entry
“Scandal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scandal. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
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