What does scandalous mean?
Scandalous is an adjective describing conduct, statements, allegations, or published material that are so improper or disgraceful that they provoke shock and widespread condemnation. It commonly appears in journalism, political commentary, and accounts of corruption, sexual misconduct, deception, or exploitation. The word carries a strong negative moral judgment and is therefore more forceful than words such as controversial, which may simply indicate disagreement or public attention. In phrases such as scandalous behaviour and scandalous remarks, it identifies something judged to violate serious social or ethical standards rather than merely unusual expectations. Although scandalous can describe an allegation, it does not establish that the allegation is true; it describes the allegation’s apparently shocking or improper character. The related noun scandal refers to an event or body of revelations that causes public outrage, while scandalous identifies the disgraceful character of what is disclosed or how it is handled.
adjectiveCausing shock or widespread outrage on account of scandalous, immoral, or thoroughly disgraceful conduct or content.
- So disgraceful or morally objectionable as to cause shock or outrage.
- Involving or characterized by sensational revelations, unethical conduct, or publicity that is widely regarded as indecent.
"The newspaper published a scandalous allegation that could not be independently verified."
"The charity apologised for its scandalous treatment of former employees."
"Her novel contains a scandalous account of corruption at the highest levels of government."
Scandalous traces its roots to the Greek word for a trap: language that once “tripped” listeners became, over time, language capable of destroying reputations.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scandalous come from?
Scandalous was formed in the early 17th century from scandal plus the adjective-forming suffix -ous. Its longer ancestry runs through Late Latin scandalum, meaning an offense or stumbling block, from Greek skándalon, originally a trap or device intended to trip or entrap a person. The religious sense of a “stumbling block” developed before the word came to mean a damaging report or public outrage, to which the modern adjective refers.
Related word forms
How scandalous is actually used
The term is strongly evaluative and usually implies public condemnation. It is especially common in journalism and political or social criticism, though writers may use it hyperbolically to describe merely embarrassing or improper conduct.
Easily confused with scandalous
“Scandal” names an event or set of circumstances that provokes public outrage, whereas “scandalous” describes the disgraceful conduct, information, or treatment associated with such outrage.
“Scandalous” denotes something morally or socially disgraceful, while “seditious” denotes language or conduct intended to provoke rebellion or political unrest.