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View synonyms for scandal

scandal

[ skan-dl ]

noun

  1. a disgraceful or discreditable action, circumstance, etc.
  2. an offense caused by a fault or misdeed.
  3. damage to reputation; public disgrace.

    Synonyms: ignominy, opprobrium, disrepute, shame, dishonor, discredit

  4. defamatory talk; malicious gossip.

    Synonyms: obloquy, aspersion, calumny, slander

    Antonyms: praise, honor

  5. a person whose conduct brings disgrace or offense.


verb (used with object)

, scan·daled, scan·dal·ing or (especially British) scan·dalled, scan·dal·ling.
  1. British Dialect. to defame (someone) by spreading scandal.
  2. Obsolete. to disgrace.

scandal

/ ˈskændəl /

noun

  1. a disgraceful action or event

    his negligence was a scandal

  2. censure or outrage arising from an action or event
  3. a person whose conduct causes reproach or disgrace
  4. malicious talk, esp gossip about the private lives of other people
  5. law a libellous action or statement
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


verb

  1. to disgrace
  2. to scandalize
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈscandalously, adverb
  • ˈscandalous, adjective
  • ˈscandalousness, noun
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Other Words From

  • mini·scandal noun
  • super·scandal noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of scandal1

1175–1225; from Late Latin scandalum from Late Greek skándalon “snare, cause of moral stumbling”; replacing Middle English scandle from Old French (north) escandle from Late Latin, as above
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Word History and Origins

Origin of scandal1

C16: from Late Latin scandalum stumbling block, from Greek skandalon a trap
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Synonym Study

See gossip.
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Example Sentences

The new appointment also follows a scandal involving David Drummond, the chief legal officer of Google’s parent company, Alphabet, who left earlier this year.

From Fortune

And, after enduring scandal after scandal after scandal, we’re still grappling with nearly every single major challenge that occupied our attention nearly a quarter-century ago.

For nine full years, Hulio never talked publicly about his billion-dollar hacking company—even when his hacking tools were linked to scandal or he was accused of being complicit in human rights abuses around the world.

And, of course, developments in the coronavirus crisis — or some other breaking news story that we can’t predict yet, like a scandal — could cause voters to view the candidates in a different light.

Of course, if you’re in the midst of a PR scandal, the news becomes a much more important source.

Liberals are outraged over the Steven Scalise scandal—but the left has selective amnesia.

Despite the scandal, Grimm beat his Democratic opponent by 18 points in November.

If the ongoing Hollywood scandal were a teen thriller from the 90s.

Nine U.S. Army soldiers were court-martialed and convicted of crimes in connection with that scandal.

Kerry Washington - Scandal Is there room for only one Shonda Rhimes darling in Best Actress in a Drama?

The nasty scandal at the Pandemonium had been particularly irritating to Haggard personally.

Do not let scandal or a mere love of gossip dictate a letter of intelligence.

Now, it is only a theory of mine, but I feel pretty sure that the papers have to do with the Foreign Office scandal.

Only don't make a scandal, I pray, for my house has the name of being quiet.'

Very little of the scandal that hung over the Asturian throne like a blighting cloud was hidden from him.

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Scandscandalize