scandalous

[ skan-dl-uhs ]

adjective

1. disgraceful; shameful or shocking; improper:

   scandalous behavior in public.

2. defamatory or libelous, as a speech or writing.
3. attracted to or preoccupied with scandal, as a person:

   a scandalous, vicious gossip.

Other Words From

• scandal·ous·ly adverb
• scandal·ous·ness noun
• non·scandal·ous adjective
• non·scandal·ous·ly adverb
• super·scandal·ous adjective
• super·scandal·ous·ly adverb
• un·scandal·ous adjective
• un·scandal·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of scandalous¹

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

Example Sentences

For Rohit, foregoing a lucrative career to introduce a martial art based on teachings of a scandalous godman in a town where sex is a taboo is quite daring.

From Ozy

Thus for Rohit, foregoing a lucrative career to introduce a martial art based on teachings of a scandalous godman in a town where sex is a taboo is quite daring.

From Ozy

It’s weird but since his departure, it seems everyone is looking for some scandalous thing to have happened there.

From Washington Blade

Virginity for young women was highly prized, so it was moving out before marriage that was scandalous, not staying home where they could be shielded from young men.

From No Straight News

It’s scandalous and absurd these agencies refuse to give correct guidance.

From MIT Technology Review

Sands was involved in a scandalous-for-the-time romance with the carpenter and there were rumors she was pregnant with his child.

From The Daily Beast

So why did the God of the Hebrew people choose such a scandalous setting for becoming human?

From The Daily Beast

It is wild that something that would seem to be so scandalous would just disappear from the press.

From The Daily Beast

She was a celebrated bohemian, considered a scandalous woman.

From The Daily Beast

Michaud did not come out of the closet in order to avoid some scandalous revelation.

From The Daily Beast

I remember, however, the contempt and disgust which awoke in me at the sight of this scandalous chaperoning.

From Project Gutenberg

If another person attempts to open a conversation upon scandalous matters, check her.

From Project Gutenberg

As to the "opportunities," Chloe coolly confessed to herself that she had made rather a scandalous use of them.

From Project Gutenberg

De Gery had made a long detailed memorandum of these scandalous abuses, with proofs in support of it.

From Project Gutenberg

They have gone to the adulterous rendezvous celebrated in the scandalous verses of Lorenzo the Magnificent.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• defamatory
• disgraceful
• heinous
• outrageous
• scurrilous
• shameful
• shocking
• slanderous
• unseemly
• untrue