scandalize

verb

scan·​dal·​ize ˈskan-də-ˌlīz How to pronounce scandalize (audio)
scandalized; scandalizing

transitive verb

1
: to offend the moral sense of : shock
She was scandalized by his behavior.
2
archaic : to speak falsely or maliciously of
3
archaic : to bring into reproach

Examples of scandalize in a Sentence

She was scandalized by her son's behavior.
Recent Examples on the Web On discovering what her daughter is really working on, Purdy’s conservative mother Gladys (Joanna Scanlan) is sufficiently scandalized to bar her from the family home. Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Oct. 2024 It was built for Hilda Boldt Weber, a former nurse turned fabulously wealthy widow of a glass bottle mogul, who had scandalized society by marrying her butler. Hadley Meares, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Oct. 2024 Entertainment Weekly's free daily newsletter Fans of American Horror Story: Asylum won’t be too scandalized by the cut spanking scene — beyond being a plausible incident, spanking was a common occurrence in the show’s sophomore outing. Shania Russell, EW.com, 3 Oct. 2024 At four years old, Bowen scandalized them by doing a striptease to Céline Dion in the living room. Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for scandalize 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'scandalize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of scandalize was in 1566

Dictionary Entries Near scandalize

Cite this Entry

“Scandalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scandalize. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

scandalize

verb
scan·​dal·​ize ˈskan-də-ˌlīz How to pronounce scandalize (audio)
scandalized; scandalizing
1
archaic : to speak of in a false or vicious way
2
: to shock the moral sense of
their actions scandalized the neighbors

More from Merriam-Webster on scandalize

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