SCANDALOUS Synonyms: 177 Similar and Opposite Words

scandalous

adjective

ˈskan-də-ləs

Definition of scandalous

as in disgusting

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment the scandalous news that police officers had been taking bribes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in erroneous

causing or intended to cause unjust injury to a person's good name spread a scandalous rumor about a coworker that almost cost him his job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of scandalous The classification of flowers was considered scandalous because [people] didn’t want to allow students to be looking at the male and female parts of flowers. — Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 30 July 2026 No More have been reliably unpredictable since Patton joined as the permanent singer in 1988, launching an erratic and sometimes scandalous classic era that lasted more or less until their first split in 1998. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 27 July 2026 The dress was actually a replacement for a more scandalous outfit, both designed by William Travilla. — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 17 July 2026 An underrated musical based on a book-length poem about scandalous behavior in early Hollywood is enough of a reason to check out the season-ending show at Playhouse on Park. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for scandalous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scandalous

Adjective

There is real hope of a postseason push, with the disgusting state of the American League leaving the door open for any team that dares to play well.

— Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
This whole situation is discriminatory, disgusting, and quite frankly, Orwellian.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of disgusting

Adjective

Towers told ProPublica that the audit had reached erroneous conclusions, that the auditors did not give him the opportunity to fully defend his work and that the journal’s willingness to stand by the study is proof that his research is sound.

— Amy Yurkanin, ProPublica, 24 Aug. 2026
For example, antiquarian scholars introduced the erroneous notion that druids built stone circles—most notably Stonehenge—for their ceremonies, an idea that became embedded in the popular imagination during the 18th century.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of erroneous

Adjective

The seventh-round rookie threw an ugly interception in the first quarter, while backpedaling and off his back foot.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026
Several leading Democrats, including Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries, issued statements denouncing Piker’s ugly warning to the Jews as a barely veiled anti-Semitic threat.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of ugly

Adjective

Questions concern how the courts would assess who or what might be responsible for faulty algorithms or other flaws in system design and whether a robot was negligent or malicious when disseminating libelous content damaging individuals or organizations.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
In recent weeks, though, her group has doubled in size, and while in the past there were only two or three posts per day, Mitchell and her new moderators now have to wade through 60-plus comments ranging from helpful to libelous.

— Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025

Definition of libelous

Adjective

The Tarrant County decorum policy prohibits personal attacks, impertinent, profane, obscene, or slanderous remarks as well as threatening, disruptive or unruly behavior.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026
Societies throughout history have punished language deemed blasphemous, seditious, inciting or slanderous.

— Paul Quigley, The Conversation, 13 July 2026

Definition of slanderous

Adjective

In front of adoring fans in Shanghai, the UFC veteran and perennial contender in the UFC bantamweight division scored a shocking upset win over Umar Nurmagomedov in the main event on Saturday.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
The August nonfarm payrolls report that releases Friday will be coming off a low set of expectations, given the shocking loss of jobs in July.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of shocking

Browse Nearby Words

scandalmongers

scandalous

scandals

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“Scandalous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scandalous. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of scandalous

adjective

Example Sentences

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