SCANDALOUS Synonyms: 177 Similar and Opposite Words

scandalous

adjective

ˈskan-də-ləs

Definition of scandalous

as in disgusting

causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment the scandalous news that police officers had been taking bribes

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in erroneous

causing or intended to cause unjust injury to a person's good name spread a scandalous rumor about a coworker that almost cost him his job

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of scandalous The Indiana native has led a busy, scandalous life on and off MTV’s series. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2026 That such an argument would be offered by a professed Catholic is scandalous. — Arkansas Online, 16 Oct. 2026 But now, new scandalous revelations indicate problems might run even deeper. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 8 Oct. 2026 The group navigates high-stakes breakups, scandalous secrets and shifting allegiances — both in the courtroom and within their own ranks — as well as a fierce rivalry with competitor Carrington Lane (Paulson). — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scandalous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scandalous

Adjective

Comparing the administration's fight to protect women and women's spaces from males to rape, is utterly disgusting and actually devalues those atrocities and crimes against actual women.

— Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
The squad has not been beefed up at all after a shameful and disgusting transfer window.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of disgusting

Adjective

According to a lawsuit, a coding error resulted in erroneous scores being generated and reported to third parties over a three-week period between March and April 2022.

— Brian Sloan,Dan Avery, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
While descending, deputies said the climber ran into trouble after following an erroneous GPS route that led him onto the Whitney Glacier.

— Tim Fang, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of erroneous

Adjective

Questions concern how the courts would assess who or what might be responsible for faulty algorithms or other flaws in system design and whether a robot was negligent or malicious when disseminating libelous content damaging individuals or organizations.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 May 2026
In recent weeks, though, her group has doubled in size, and while in the past there were only two or three posts per day, Mitchell and her new moderators now have to wade through 60-plus comments ranging from helpful to libelous.

— Brenna Ehrlich, Rolling Stone, 25 Apr. 2025

Definition of libelous

Adjective

Its pristine, almost peaceful harps make the song sound somehow pleasantly sickening.

— Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
Ole Miss scored two more touchdowns, and whatever momentum Texas had was replaced by that familiar sickening feeling.

— Mac Engel October 25, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of sickening

Adjective

Cloud launched slanderous accusations about the spectator’s personal life based on nothing more than a brief clip of him pointing a finger.

— Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Created under O’Hare’s leadership, the decorum policy prohibits personal attacks, impertinent, profane, obscene, or slanderous remarks as well as threatening, disruptive or unruly behavior.

— Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of slanderous

Adjective

The mother of a toddler who was found breathing in a hospital morgue hours after being pronounced dead is speaking out about the shocking incident.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
Sunday’s shocking loss to the Arizona Cardinals dropped Los Angeles to 2-4, and, suddenly, a team that entered the season with Super Bowl aspirations is fighting to stay in the playoff picture.

— Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of shocking

Adjective

Use safer payment methods When shopping online, paying with a credit card generally gives you stronger protections if an order never arrives or a charge is incorrect.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
The figures represent requests for financial assistance, not necessarily complaints about incorrect water bills.

— Jamal Goss, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of incorrect

Browse Nearby Words

scandalmongers

scandalous

scandals

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Scandalous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scandalous. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of scandalous

adjective

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