SCANDAL Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

scandal

noun

ˈskan-dᵊl

Definition of scandal

as in disgrace

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

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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

Example 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 Uthmeier was not attorney general during the Hope Florida scandal, but headed a political committee that received the Medicaid money. — Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 26 Aug. 2026 That’s a question usually put to criminal defendants and key players in a scandal, not the District Attorney’s office itself. — Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 That sequencing bothers people who’ve spent careers being told that data systems need privacy protections designed in, not bolted on after a scandal. — Karl W. Bickel, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026 The Iran-contra scandal in the mid-1980s badly tarnished Ronald Reagan’s foreign policy record. — Nate Swanson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scandal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scandal

Noun

When Spiro Agnew resigned in disgrace over tax evasion, Kennerly was tapped to photograph one of his potential replacements as vice president, Gerald Ford.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
Until Graham Platner’s Maine Senate campaign exploded in disgrace, Platner was routinely cast as a son of privilege playing Carhartt dress-up.

— Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of disgrace

Noun

Creative interior spaces include sunrooms for reading, a dark room for calm reflection, an art and science lab, a café, and both indoor and outdoor gardens, which include an impressive living wall.

— Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 26 Aug. 2026
Scott says he’s learned not to shy away from the pain of death and Kellie pours out her heart in exquisitely tender reflections on social media.

— Susan Young, PEOPLE, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of reflection

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scan

scandal

scandalize

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“Scandal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scandal. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of scandal

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