SCANDALS Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

scandals

noun

plural of scandal

as in disgraces

a cause of shame a scandal that for many years haunted the family of the banker convicted of embezzlement

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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 scandals When King Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014, forced out by financial scandals and weakened by recurring health problems, the crown skipped his eldest daughter, Infanta Elena, born in 1963. — Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 26 Aug. 2026 Leo Tolstoy’s masterful epic—or one of them, at least—is about one woman’s scandals, passions, and ultimate tragedy, all set amid the tumult of late-19th century Russia. — Caroline Rogers, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026 Paxton’s litany of scandals could prove consequential in his matchup with Talarico. — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026 The two-term congressman has been plagued with scandals and faces a House Ethics Committee investigation and one by the Department of Justice, in part about his finances. — Emily Chang, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026 Elijah’s win over Mills in the primary means Dalton’s path to victory in November has narrowed, as Democrats were likely banking on the congressman’s various scandals turning off some moderate and Republican voters, MacManus said. — Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026 But Cawthorn lost his own reelection bid in May 2022 after a series of scandals plagued his political career. — Danielle Battaglia, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2026 After years of horrendous scandals, OpenAI has seemingly admitted that ChatGPT wasn’t safe for teenage users. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 19 Aug. 2026 Perhaps the most prominent name is Madison Cawthorn, who was ousted from his North Carolina congressional seat in 2022 after multiple scandals during his time in office. — Maham Javaid, NPR, 18 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scandals

Noun

Had all those court cases and public disgraces dampened his hubris?

— Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026

Definition of disgraces

Noun

Scott says he’s learned not to shy away from the pain of death and Kellie pours out her heart in exquisitely tender reflections on social media.

— Susan Young, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026
The buttons are now dark gray, partly to cut down on unwanted reflections showing up in photo backgrounds.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of reflections

Noun

Though stains on clothes can be permanent, the tomatoes' citric acid acts as a cleaning agent, often leaving Buñol’s streets cleaner than before.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 Aug. 2026
Key Takeaways Clean your bathtub weekly to prevent soap scum, stains, and hard water buildup.

— Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of stains

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scandalous

scandals

scanned

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

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Synonyms of scandals

noun

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