Scandalous

/ˈskændələs/ · adjective

Meaning

Of a thing: causing or having the nature of a scandal; regarded as so immoral or wrong as to be extremely disgraceful; despicable, shameful..

Definitions by Sense

1. Of a thing: causing or having the nature of a scandal; regarded as so immoral or wrong as to be extremely disgraceful; despicable, shameful.
2. Of a person: delighted by scandal.
3. Of speech or writing: defamatory, malicious.
4. (figurative) Exceeding reasonable limits; outrageous.
5. (archaic or obsolete) Of a person: guilty of extremely disgraceful conduct or some misconduct; infamous; also, unfit for their office or position due to misconduct, etc.
6. (law) Of information, a statement, etc.: not pertinent to a matter; irrelevant, and bringing the court into disrepute.
7. Causing offence or trouble.
8. Of a disease or symptom: putrid, rotting.

Example Sentences

[S]omthing ſauors / Of Tyrannie, and vvill ignoble make you, / Yea, ſcandalous to the VVorld.

Maſters commands come vvith a povver reſiſtleſs / To ſuch as ovve them abſolute ſubjection; / And for a life vvho vvill not change his purpoſe? / (So mutable are all the vvays of men) / Yet this be ſure, in nothing to comply / Scandalous or forbidden in our Lavv.

As the vvhole buſineſs, in vvhich the Courts uſually take an intereſt, goes on at preſent equally vvell, in vvhatever hands, vvhether high or lovv, vviſe or fooliſh, ſcandalous or reputable; there is nothing to hold it firm to any one body of men, or to any one conſiſtent scheme of politicks.

"I have heard something of such a matter," said the Glover, "and was this instant setting forth to Kinfauns, to plead my innocence of this scandalous charge, to ask your lordship's counsel, and to implore your protection."

The treasurer soon found that, in using scandalous means for the purpose of attaining a laudable end, he had committed, not only a crime, but a folly. The queen was now his enemy.

The thing made a big stir in the town, too, and a good many come out flat-footed and said it was scandalous to separate the mother and the children that way.

You are the stateliest deer in all the herd— / Beyond his aim—but I am small and scandalous, / And love to hear bad tales of Philip.

Theſe be the ſcandalous reportes of ſuch, / As loues not mee, and hate my Lord too much.

Synonyms for scandalous

Antonyms for scandalous

Related Words

Word Forms

• more scandalous
• most scandalous

Usage Notes

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