Meaning & use

scandal

noun·Everyday

A widely known action or event that causes general public outrage or moral disapproval.

See it in a sentence

The politician's scandal dominated the news for weeks after the leak.

A financial scandal forced the company's chief executive to resign immediately.

A note on using this word

Scandal usually implies exposure of wrongdoing that damages a reputation, not merely embarrassment.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. noun

Talk or gossip that damages a person's reputation.

The neighbors loved to spread scandal about anyone new who moved in.

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