scandalous

adjective

scan·​dal·​ous ˈskan-də-ləs 

1

: libelous, defamatory

scandalous allegations

2

: offensive to propriety or morality : shocking

scandalous behavior

scandalously adverb

scandalousness noun

Synonyms

• abhorrent
• abominable
• appalling
• awful
• disgusting
• distasteful
• dreadful
• evil
• foul
• fulsome
• gross
• hideous
• horrendous
• horrible
• horrid
• loathsome
• nasty
• nauseating
• nauseous
• noisome
• noxious
• obnoxious
• obscene
• odious
• offensive
• rancid
• repellent
• repellant
• repugnant
• repulsive
• revolting
• shocking
• sickening
• ugly

Examples of scandalous in a Sentence

Sex was a scandalous subject back then.

The magazine published scandalous pictures of the movie star.

The high price of gas these days is scandalous.

She was spreading scandalous rumors about him.

Recent Examples on the Web

For example: The scandalous photos taken on the beach of Catherine’s nipple and her crotch. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

While the company is best known for its thunderous, ultra-American V-twin cruisers, it's stretched its envelope with quite a variety of different bikes over the years, including a scandalous foray into silent electrics. —New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2024

In 2017, the kick off to the Houston Astros-Dodgers series, which would become a scandalous black-eye for the Astros following a sign-stealing and cheating scandal, brought in 15.3 million viewers, per Fox. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 26 Oct. 2024

The book includes a photo from the afterparty and a scandalous anecdote about John and Robert Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe, as well as a photo of MacLaine with the youngest Kennedy brother, Ted, 22 years later. —Jeremy Helligar, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

scandalous

adjective

scan·​dal·​ous ˈskan-d(ə-)ləs 

1

: harmful to one's reputation : defamatory

denied the truth of the scandalous rumors

2

: shocking

scandalous behavior

scandalously adverb