as in disgrace
a cause of shame a scandal that for many years haunted the family of the banker convicted of embezzlement

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the noun scandal contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of scandal are crime, offense, sin, and vice. While all these words mean "a transgression of law," scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience.

a career ruined by a sex scandal

When is crime a more appropriate choice than scandal?

The words crime and scandal can be used in similar contexts, but crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state.

the crime of murder

When might offense be a better fit than scandal?

While in some cases nearly identical to scandal, offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code.

at that school no offense went unpunished

In what contexts can sin take the place of scandal?

Although the words sin and scandal have much in common, sin implies an offense against moral or religious law.

the sin of blasphemy

When would vice be a good substitute for scandal?

The synonyms vice and scandal are sometimes interchangeable, but vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts.

regarded gambling as a vice

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of scandal An aide to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is accused of leaking sensitive information to two news outlets in the hopes of sabotaging a hostage deal with Hamas in a political scandal that has roiled Israeli politics. Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024 In the wake of the 2022 audio scandal, several majority-Latino districts on L.A.’s Eastside are up for grabs. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024 The scandals reinforce Nomura’s image as a firm prone to missteps, including data leaks and a multi-billion dollar loss from the collapse of Archegos Capital Management. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Asia, 1 Nov. 2024 Here's the deadline to mail it back Mystery man connected to 20 allegations of fraud in Arizona sober living rehab scandal. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for scandal 

Thesaurus Entries Near scandal

Cite this Entry

“Scandal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scandal. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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