scandalous

[ skan-dl-uh s ]

/ ˈskæn dl əs /

disgraceful; shameful or shocking; improper: scandalous behavior in public.

defamatory or libelous, as a speech or writing.

attracted to or preoccupied with scandal, as a person: a scandalous, vicious gossip.

Nearby words

From the Medieval Latin word scandalōsus, dating back to 1585–95. See scandal, -ous

Related forms

scan·dal·ous·ly, adverbscan·dal·ous·ness, nounnon·scan·dal·ous, adjectivenon·scan·dal·ous·ly, adverb

su·per·scan·dal·ous, adjectivesu·per·scan·dal·ous·ly, adverbun·scan·dal·ous, adjectiveun·scan·dal·ous·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

So why did the God of the Hebrew people choose such a scandalous setting for becoming human?
Jesus Wasn’t Born Rich. Think About It.|Gene Robinson|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is wild that something that would seem to be so scandalous would just disappear from the press.
Inside the Lifetime Whitney Houston Movie’s Lesbian Lover Storyline|Kevin Fallon|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She was a celebrated bohemian, considered a scandalous woman.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days|David Freeman|December 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Michaud did not come out of the closet in order to avoid some scandalous revelation.
America’s First Post-Gay Governor|David Freedlander|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In London, the group will do walking tours of the variously sexy, scandalous, and literary neighborhoods of Soho and Bloomsbury.
Adventures in Gay History With Oscar Wilde|Tim Teeman|June 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The very most scandalous crime one could commit at St. Ursula's was to go out of bounds without permission.
Just Patty|Jean Webster
The prince, I knew, was ravenously greedy and tyrannical, and wearied all with his scandalous exactions.
A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Volume IX.|Robert Kerr
That, in the eyes of the converted natives, would have been scandalous.
Rdan The Devil And Other Stories|Louis Becke
An affair of a most scandalous character has taken place in our midst.
Dead Souls|Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol
On the publication of gen. orders 349 Worth asked Scott whether the charge of scandalous conduct referred to him.
The War With Mexico, Volume II (of 2)|Justin H. Smith