scandal

[ skan-dl ]

/ ˈskæn dl /

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See synonyms for: scandal / scandals on Thesaurus.com

noun

a disgraceful or discreditable action, circumstance, etc.

an offense caused by a fault or misdeed.

damage to reputation; public disgrace.

defamatory talk; malicious gossip.

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.

British Dialect. to defame (someone) by spreading scandal.

Obsolete. to disgrace.

OTHER WORDS FOR scandal

3 discredit, dishonor, shame, disrepute, opprobrium, ignominy.

4 slander, calumny, aspersion, obloquy.

See synonyms for scandal on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR scandal

4 honor, praise.

See antonyms for scandal on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of scandal

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

synonym study for scandal

4. See gossip.

OTHER WORDS FROM scandal

min·i·scan·dal, nounsu·per·scan·dal, noun

Words nearby scandal

scampi, scamster, scamto, scan, Scand, scandal, scandalize, scandalmonger, scandalous, scandal sheet, Scandaroon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use scandal in a sentence

The new appointment also follows a scandal involving David Drummond, the chief legal officer of Google’s parent company, Alphabet, who left earlier this year.
Google names Halimah DeLaine Prado as new general counsel|Jeff|August 25, 2020|Fortune
And, after enduring scandal after scandal after scandal, we’re still grappling with nearly every single major challenge that occupied our attention nearly a quarter-century ago.
Politics Report: A Poll and a Court Ruling in Key Council Race|Scott Lewis|August 22, 2020|Voice of San Diego
For nine full years, Hulio never talked publicly about his billion-dollar hacking company—even when his hacking tools were linked to scandal or he was accused of being complicit in human rights abuses around the world.
The man who built a spyware empire says it’s time to come out of the shadows|Bobbie Johnson|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
And, of course, developments in the coronavirus crisis — or some other breaking news story that we can’t predict yet, like a scandal — could cause voters to view the candidates in a different light.
Yes, Biden Has A Big Lead, But It’s Probably Not 15 Points|Nathaniel Rakich (nathaniel.rakich@fivethirtyeight.com)|July 16, 2020|FiveThirtyEight

Of course, if you’re in the midst of a PR scandal, the news becomes a much more important source.
Online reputation management: Seven steps to success|Aleh Barysevich|June 3, 2020|Search Engine Watch
Liberals are outraged over the Steven Scalise scandal—but the left has selective amnesia.
Reverend Jeremiah Wright Was Worse Than Scalise|Ron Christie|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Despite the scandal, Grimm beat his Democratic opponent by 18 points in November.
2014 Was a Delectably Good Year for Sleaze|Patricia Murphy|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If the ongoing Hollywood scandal were a teen thriller from the 90s.
Sony Hack: The Movie|The Daily Beast Video|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nine U.S. Army soldiers were court-martialed and convicted of crimes in connection with that scandal.
Why the Muslim World Isn’t Flipping Out Over the CIA Torture Report|Dean Obeidallah|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Kerry Washington - Scandal Is there room for only one Shonda Rhimes darling in Best Actress in a Drama?
15 Enraging Golden Globe TV Snubs and Surprises: Amy Poehler, 'Mad Men' & More|Kevin Fallon|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The nasty scandal at the Pandemonium had been particularly irritating to Haggard personally.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Do not let scandal or a mere love of gossip dictate a letter of intelligence.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
Now, it is only a theory of mine, but I feel pretty sure that the papers have to do with the Foreign Office scandal.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White
Only don't make a scandal, I pray, for my house has the name of being quiet.'
The Staircase At The Hearts Delight|Anna Katharine Green (Mrs. Charles Rohlfs)
Very little of the scandal that hung over the Asturian throne like a blighting cloud was hidden from him.
The Weight of the Crown|Fred M. White

British Dictionary definitions for scandal

scandal

/ (ˈskændəl) /

noun

a disgraceful action or eventhis negligence was a scandal

censure or outrage arising from an action or event

a person whose conduct causes reproach or disgrace

malicious talk, esp gossip about the private lives of other people

law a libellous action or statement

verb (tr) obsolete

to disgrace

to scandalize

Derived forms of scandal

scandalous, adjectivescandalously, adverbscandalousness, noun

Word Origin for scandal

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

scandal

OTHER WORDS FOR scandal

OPPOSITES FOR scandal

Origin of scandal

synonym study for scandal

OTHER WORDS FROM scandal

Words nearby scandal

Words related to scandal

How to use scandal in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for scandal

Derived forms of scandal

Word Origin for scandal