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

verb

1. to disgrace
2. to scandalize

Derived Forms

• ˈscandalously, adverb
• ˈscandalous, adjective
• ˈscandalousness, noun

Other Words From

• mini·scandal noun
• super·scandal noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of scandal¹

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

Synonym Study

See gossip.

Example Sentences

But critics argue he may not be the right man for the job, given that his administration was hit by economic problems and a string of corruption scandals.

From BBC

In May, Trump was convicted on 34 charges of falsifying business records, stemming from an attempt to cover up a potential sex scandal ahead of his first presidential victory in 2016.

From BBC

They want to analyze Trump like he’s a series of scandals or controversies to unpack on a whiteboard — something logical, manageable.

From Salon

Force trustee Rob Gray said this was causing a "hidden pollution scandal" that was having a "public health risk and environmental impact".

From BBC

The scandals in the potential Cabinet were a bridge too far for Tapper, who grilled Johnson on the nominations during an episode of CNN's "State of the Union."

From Salon

Related Words

• crime
• rumor
• wrongdoing