scandalous
Causing public outrage
Scandalous describes something that causes public outrage or moral shock: a scandalous affair, scandalous behavior.
It can refer to actions that violate accepted standards of decency or propriety, or to revelations that damage reputations.
The word often carries a whiff of the salacious—scandals tend to involve sex, money, or hypocrisy.
Something scandalous may also simply be shockingly bad: The conditions in that nursing home are scandalous.
Lacking integrity or ethics
- reprehensibleDeserving condemnation
- deplorableDeserving strong disapproval
- ignominiousDeserving public shame
- discreditableCausing loss of reputation
disgraceful · unseemly · improper · indecent · unworthy · disreputable · contemptible · inglorious
Morally corrupt, perverse
- corruptDishonest, open to bribes
- sinfulViolating moral law
- wickedEvil or slang-excellent
- debauchedCorrupted by indulgence
licentious · lewd · salacious · indecent · dissolute · profligate · illicit · adulterous
Fame from misdeeds
- disreputeDamaged public standing
- ignominyState of dishonor
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- dishonorLoss of respect
stigma · tarnish · disgrace · black mark · bad reputation · downfall · ruin · pariah
Unconfirmed circulating story
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
- tittle-tattleTrivial, idle chatter
scuttlebutt · buzz · chatter · dirt · backbiting · slander · libel · defamation
Shockingly bad or excessive
- appallingInspiring horror or disgust
- jaw-droppingExtremely surprising or impressive
- startlingCausing sudden surprise
- unbelievableImpossible to accept as true
alarming · disturbing · unsettling · eye-opening · bombshell · explosive · damning · incriminating
Aggressive celebrity photographers
- headlineNews article title
- celebrityWidely recognized public figure
- exposéInvestigative journalism piece
- yellow journalismReporting prioritizing shock value
media circus · red-top · intrusive · sensationalism · lurid · titillating · provocative · splashy
dishonorable
Lacking integrity or ethics
- reprehensibleDeserving condemnation
- deplorableDeserving strong disapproval
- ignominiousDeserving public shame
discreditable · disgraceful · unseemly · improper · indecent · unworthy · disreputable · contemptible · inglorious · tawdry
depraved
Morally corrupt, perverse
debauched · licentious · lewd · salacious · indecent · dissolute · profligate · illicit · adulterous · promiscuous
notoriety
Fame from misdeeds
dishonor · stigma · tarnish · disgrace · black mark · bad reputation · downfall · ruin · pariah · ostracized
rumor
Unconfirmed circulating story
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- innuendoOblique disparaging remark
tittle-tattle · scuttlebutt · buzz · chatter · dirt · backbiting · slander · libel · defamation · smear
outrageous
Shockingly bad or excessive
- appallingInspiring horror or disgust
- jaw-droppingExtremely surprising or impressive
- startlingCausing sudden surprise
unbelievable · alarming · disturbing · unsettling · eye-opening · bombshell · explosive · damning · incriminating · revelation
paparazzi
Aggressive celebrity photographers
- headlineNews article title
- celebrityWidely recognized public figure
- exposéInvestigative journalism piece
yellow journalism · media circus · red-top · intrusive · sensationalism · lurid · titillating · provocative · splashy · clickbait
- sexualizedsexualized, erotica, pornographic, explicit, provocative
- exclamationsoh, yes, no, wow, hey
- gossiprumor, rumors, gossip, hearsay, whisper
- outcastsoutcast, pariah, pariahs, outcasts, outlaws
- unacceptableunacceptable, inappropriate, improper, wrong, forbidden
- wickedevil, wicked, villainous, malicious, sinister
scandalousrespectable
Worthy of regard
reputable · respected · admirable · honorable · unimpeachable
- scandalous figurePerson known for misconduct