scandal

[ skan-dl ]

noun

1. a disgraceful or discreditable action, circumstance, etc.
2. an offense caused by a fault or misdeed.
3. damage to reputation; public disgrace.

   Synonyms: ignominy, opprobrium, disrepute, shame, dishonor, discredit

4. defamatory talk; malicious gossip.

   Synonyms: obloquy, aspersion, calumny, slander

   Antonyms: praise, honor

5. a person whose conduct brings disgrace or offense.

verb (used with object)

, scan·daled, scan·dal·ing or (especially British) scan·dalled, scan·dal·ling.

1. British Dialect. to defame (someone) by spreading scandal.
2. Obsolete. to disgrace.

scandal

/ ˈskændəl /

noun

1. a disgraceful action or event

   his negligence was a scandal

2. censure or outrage arising from an action or event
3. a person whose conduct causes reproach or disgrace
4. malicious talk, esp gossip about the private lives of other people
5. law a libellous action or statement

verb

1. to disgrace
2. to scandalize

Derived Forms

• ˈscandalously, adverb
• ˈscandalous, adjective
• ˈscandalousness, noun

Other Words From

• mini·scandal noun
• super·scandal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of scandal¹

1175–1225; from Late Latin scandalum from Late Greek skándalon “snare, cause of moral stumbling”; replacing Middle English scandle from Old French (north) escandle from Late Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of scandal¹

C16: from Late Latin scandalum stumbling block, from Greek skandalon a trap

Synonym Study

See gossip.

Example Sentences

Cummings also accused Sir Chris of being “embedded deeply” in the infected blood scandal and repeatedly telling ministers “untruths about the documents”.

From BBC

In 2017, the Catholic church apologised to the victims for its part in the scandal.

From BBC

A government spokesperson said: “We recognise the immeasurable suffering that victims of the Horizon scandal like Betty have endured and we are working tirelessly across government to provide them with full and fair redress. “

From BBC

More than 3,500 victims of the scandal were NHS patients with the blood disorder haemophilia, they were infected after being given a contaminated clotting agent.

From BBC

Instead, she uncovered a baby trafficking scandal in Georgia that has affected tens of thousands of lives.

From BBC

Related Words

• crime
• rumor
• wrongdoing