scandalise
Cause public disgust
Scandalise is the British spelling of scandalize, meaning to shock or offend someone's moral sensibilities.
The word implies behaviour that violates accepted standards of propriety: The duchess scandalised society by appearing at the opera with her lover.
What scandalises depends entirely on the audience—conduct unremarkable in one setting may scandalise in another.
Shock with disgust
- horrifyCause intense revulsion
- outrageFierce moral indignation
- stunDaze by force
- astonishShock with wonder
stupefy · flabbergast · dumbfound · startle · jolt · shake · unsettle · disconcert
Deliberate public insult
- insultOffensive remark or action
- displeaseCause annoyance or dissatisfaction
- upsetDisturb, topple, or shock
- transgressViolate a boundary
violate · breach · flout · overstep · cross the line · impropriety · indecency · indiscretion
Painful awareness of failure
- dishonorLoss of respect
- tarnishOxidation discoloration on metal
- blemishVisible flaw or mark
- sullyDamage one's standing
stain · smirch · discredit · humiliate · embarrass · disrepute · infamy · ignominy
Unconfirmed circulating story
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
- exposeMake known publicly
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
tabloid · sensation · innuendo · allegation · hearsay · buzz · tell-all · juicy
appall
Shock with disgust
astonish · stupefy · flabbergast · dumbfound · startle · jolt · shake · unsettle · disconcert · stagger
affront
Deliberate public insult
- insultOffensive remark or action
- displeaseCause annoyance or dissatisfaction
- upsetDisturb, topple, or shock
transgress · violate · breach · flout · overstep · cross the line · impropriety · indecency · indiscretion · tastelessness
shame
Painful awareness of failure
sully · stain · smirch · discredit · humiliate · embarrass · disrepute · infamy · ignominy · stigma
rumor
Unconfirmed circulating story
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
- exposeMake known publicly
revelation · tabloid · sensation · innuendo · allegation · hearsay · buzz · tell-all · juicy · salacious
scandalize, scandalized, scandalizing, scandalised, scandalises, scandalizes, scandalising