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
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
Though Charles and Camilla met each other first, the pair married other people, which would lead to one of the most scandalous affairs of the '90s.
—
Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
My wife thinks this is scandalous.
—John Hodgman, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
In season two, Maxine is left a social pariah after the scandalous public breakdown that capped the first season.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
In Season 2, Maxine is left a social pariah after a scandalous public breakdown.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scandalous
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Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025
My wife thinks this is scandalous.
—John Hodgman, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
In season two, Maxine is left a social pariah after the scandalous public breakdown that capped the first season.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
In Season 2, Maxine is left a social pariah after a scandalous public breakdown.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for scandalous
Cite this Entry
“Scandalous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scandalous. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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