scandalize

American  

[skan-dl-ahyz] / ˈskæn dlˌaɪz /

especially British, scandalise

verb (used with object)

scandalized, scandalizing

1. to shock or horrify by something considered immoral or improper.

2. Nautical. to spill the wind from or reduce the exposed area of (a sail) in an unusual manner.

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scandalize British  

/ ˈskændəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to shock, as by improper behaviour

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Other Word Forms

• scandalization noun
• scandalizer noun
• unscandalized adjective

Etymology

Origin of scandalize

1480–90; < Late Latin scandalizāre < Late Greek skandalízein. See scandal, -ize

Example Sentences

The woman in front of me twisted around with a scandalized expression.

From Literature

They can also feel like time capsules to other dimensions; his 12-year-old daughter was scandalized by how normative bullying was after she read “Blubber,” Blume’s 1974 novel about tween mean girls and body shaming.

From Los Angeles Times

There were people who just saw it as part of the war effort, and there were people who were really, really scandalized.

From Salon

It’s easy to adore the star in the mid-to-late 1950s when he’s young and svelte, scandalizing and delighting America with his wiggly hips, popularizing a new sound dubbed rock ‘n’ roll.

From The Wall Street Journal

But those who spoke to The Wall Street Journal weren’t scandalized by the show’s existence.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• defame
• displease
• offend
• slander