What does scandalously mean?
Scandalously means in a manner that is shocking, disgraceful, or morally objectionable. It is a strongly evaluative adverb, commonly used for conduct that violates serious social or ethical expectations rather than for ordinary mistakes or minor unconventionality. For example, a business may be described as scandalously exploiting workers if its practices are profoundly exploitative and widely condemned. The word can also characterize the improper or sensational use of information, images, or allegations, as in the scandalous publication of private material. Its force depends on context: the more serious the breach of accepted standards, the more appropriate the term. Although related to the noun scandal, scandalously focuses on the manner of an action or the character of a treatment. It is especially common in journalism, political debate, and moral criticism, where vivid language is used to emphasize outrage.
adverbIn a shocking, disgraceful, or morally objectionable manner.
- In a shocking, disgraceful, or morally objectionable manner.
"The company was accused of scandalously exploiting its workers."
"The politician scandalously denied responsibility for the misconduct."
"The photograph was scandalously used in an advertisement without the photographer's permission."
The word turns moral outrage into an adverb: an act described as scandalously is not merely unusual, but judged to be seriously improper.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does scandalously come from?
The word belongs to the family of scandal, which was borrowed into English from French scandale, ultimately derived from the Greek skándalon, meaning an offence or stumbling block. The adjective scandalous developed from the same semantic field, describing conduct or matters that cause shock or disgrace. The adverb scandalously was formed from scandalous with the standard adverbial suffix -ly.
Related word forms
How scandalously is actually used
Strongly evaluative and usually moral in force. It can describe conduct, treatment, or the use of something in a way that is widely regarded as outrageous or disgraceful; in advertising and political language, it may be rhetorical.