Definitions

scandal

[skan-dl] / ˈskæn dl /

NOUN

public embarrassment

Synonyms

STRONGEST

crime rumor wrongdoing

STRONG

aspersion calumny defamation depreciation detraction discredit disgrace dishonor disparagement disrepute dynamite gossip hearsay ignominy infamy mud obloquy opprobrium reproach scorcher shame sin slander tale talk turpitude

WEAK

backbiting backstabbing belittlement dirty linen eavesdropping idle rumor skeleton in closet

Antonyms

STRONGEST

good deed

STRONG

approval commendation compliment esteem exaltation flattery goodness honor morality praise respect

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In the 1830s, however, the city, then the capital of East Prussia, was “still bathed in the amber glow of the late Enlightenment,” as Christopher Clark tells us in “A Scandal in Königsberg.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Appeared in the March 14, 2026, print edition as 'A Judicial Climate Science Scandal'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

"I took all this little gross stuff, and part of that was giving up caffeine," said the star, who is also known for BBC historical drama Wolf Hall and A Very British Scandal.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

She added that they were "delighted" to welcome his grandson - who is the author of a new book, After Oscar: The Legacy of a Scandal - to receive the library card on his behalf.

From BBC • Oct. 16, 2025

Kyle had just finished a pretty cool story called “A Scandal in Bohemia,” about a king who was going to get married to a royal heiress with maybe six names.

From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein

Vocabulary lists containing scandal

"Laws are not the only way to boost immunization”: an editorial from Nature

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This Week in Words: Current Events Vocab for September 11–September 17, 2021

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Simply Scandalous!

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