What does scandalize mean?
To scandalize means to shock people by doing, saying, or revealing something that they regard as improper, immoral, or contrary to accepted social standards. The verb is often used in reports of public reaction: a disclosure may scandalize readers, while an individual may be scandalized by conduct or an attitude. It can imply outrage or moral indignation, as well as simple surprise, and is therefore more forceful than the neutral word “surprise.” The related noun “scandal” refers to an event or situation that provokes widespread disapproval and discussion. “Scandalize” is commonly transitive, taking a person or group as its object, although it can also be used in the passive. Its force depends on the norms of the audience: an act may scandalize one community while seeming unremarkable to another.
verbTo shock or offend someone by doing or saying something considered immoral, improper, or socially unacceptable. It can also mean to cause widespread public indignation or disbelief.
- To cause shock, disgust, or indignation in someone by presenting behavior, information, or ideas regarded as improper or unacceptable.
- To offend or astonish members of the public, especially by violating accepted moral or social standards.
"The newspaper reported that the scandalizing remarks caused an immediate public outcry."
"The report scandalized readers by revealing widespread corruption."
"She was scandalized by the rude treatment of the server."
To scandalize someone is to make them feel that the boundaries of acceptable behavior have been crossed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scandalize come from?
The verb is formed from “scandal” plus the suffix “-ize.” “Scandal” derives through Old French from Late Latin scandalum, a borrowing from Greek skándalon, meaning “a stumbling block” or “a trap,” and originally referred to a cause of offence or religious scandal. In English, its meaning developed to include an action or event that causes public outrage and disgrace.
Related word forms
How scandalize is actually used
The word is relatively formal and strongly evaluative. It describes conduct or speech that is perceived as shocking or improper, although the degree of moral condemnation varies with context.
Easily confused with scandalize
A scandal is an event or set of circumstances that causes widespread public disapproval, whereas to scandalize is to shock or offend people.