Scandalous — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈskan-də-ləs/ scan·dal·ous

Meaning & Definition of Scandalous

Scandalous (adjective)

  1. libelous, defamatory
  2. offensive to propriety or morality, shocking

Scandalous (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment

    "the scandalous news that police officers had been taking bribes"

    similar: abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul, fulsome, gross, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, noxious, obnoxious, obscene, odious, offensive, rancid, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, shocking, sickening, ugly
    related: exceptionable, objectionable, brackish, disagreeable, dislikable, unpleasant, contemptible, despicable, detestable, hard, hateful, unhealthy, unsavory, unwholesome, execrable, lousy, miserable, atrocious, frightful, ghastly, grim, grisly, gruesome, heinous, horrific, horrifying, lurid, macabre, monstrous, nightmarish, sick, sickish, sickly, terrible, unspeakable, vile, off-putting, undesirable, unwanted, unwelcome, barbarous, unchristian, uncivilized, ungodly, unholy, distressing, disturbing, upsetting
    opposite: innocuous, inoffensive
    near: acceptable, agreeable, alluring, appealing, attractive, blessed, congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, desirable, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, gratifying, heavenly, inviting, likable, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, satisfying, savory, sweet, welcome, unexceptionable, unobjectionable, healthful, healthy, restorative, salubrious, salutary, wholesome

  2. 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"

    similar: calumnious, defamatory, libelous, slanderous
    related: erroneous, false, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, invalid, off, unsound, untrue, wrong, denigrative, denigratory, depreciative, depreciatory, derogatory, detractive, disparaging, uncomplimentary, unfavorable, unflattering, invidious, objectionable, maligning, traducing, vilifying, hateful, malevolent, malicious, spiteful
    near: appreciative, complimentary, favorable, adulatory, commendatory, eulogistic, hagiographic, laudatory, accurate, correct, errorless, factual, right, sound, true, valid

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Scandalous

The most common words with a similar meaning to Scandalous:

abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul, fulsome, gross, hideous, horrendous, horrible, horrid, loathsome, nasty, nauseating, nauseous, noisome, noxious, obnoxious, obscene, odious, offensive, rancid, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, shocking, sickening, ugly, calumnious, defamatory, libelous, slanderous

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Scandalous

Words with the opposite meaning of Scandalous:

innocuous, inoffensive

Related Words for Scandalous

exceptionable, objectionable, brackish, disagreeable, dislikable, unpleasant, contemptible, despicable, detestable, hard, hateful, unhealthy, unsavory, unwholesome, execrable, lousy, miserable, atrocious, frightful, ghastly, grim, grisly, gruesome, heinous, horrific, horrifying, lurid, macabre, monstrous, nightmarish

Near Antonyms of Scandalous

acceptable, agreeable, alluring, appealing, attractive, blessed, congenial, darling, delectable, delicious, delightful, delightsome, desirable, dreamy, dulcet, enjoyable, felicitous, gratifying, heavenly, inviting, likable, luscious, nice, palatable, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, satisfying, savory, sweet

Word Forms of Scandalous

Derived words: scandalously (adverb), scandalousness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Scandalous

First known use: 1575

Frequently Asked Questions about Scandalous

What does "Scandalous" mean?

"Scandalous" means libelous, defamatory. As an adjective, it is defined as: libelous, defamatory. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Scandalous"?

Other words for "Scandalous" include abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful and evil. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Scandalous" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Scandalous"?

There are 112 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Scandalous". Common alternatives include abhorrent, abominable, appalling, awful, disgusting, distasteful, dreadful, evil, foul and fulsome.

What is the opposite of "Scandalous"?

Antonyms of "Scandalous" include innocuous and inoffensive. Near antonyms include acceptable, agreeable, alluring and appealing.

How do you use "Scandalous" in a sentence?

Examples of "Scandalous" in a sentence: "the scandalous news that police officers had been taking bribes"; "spread a scandalous rumor about a coworker that almost cost him his job".

Is "Scandalous" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Scandalous" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Scandalous"?

"Scandalous" is pronounced /ˈskan-də-ləs/ and divided into syllables as scan·dal·ous.

What is the origin of the word "Scandalous"?

First known use: 1575.