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 next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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 The public reaction to this scandal feels much stronger than any of those events. —

Ana Colón, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2026 The question then is not whether another DOJ college sports scandal will emerge, but which aspect of the industry will be impacted next. —

Robert L. Boone, Sportico.com, 31 Mar. 2026 Another relationship scandal has come to a Bravo show. —

Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026 News of the scandal broke weeks after Kristi's departure from the DHS. —

Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scandal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for scandal

Noun

Instead, Coronado returned to Mexico City in disgrace, the last of the great Spanish explorers.

— Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026
Had all those court cases and public disgraces dampened his hubris?

— Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 10 Mar. 2026

Definition of disgrace

Browse Nearby Words

scan

scandal

scandalize

See all Nearby Words

Articles Related to scandal

Cite this Entry

Style

“Scandal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/scandal. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of scandal

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

7 Words from Political Scandals

'-Gate': Notes on a Scandal

Notes on 'Scandal'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on scandal

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

laudable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

Are You Misusing These 10 Common Words?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

The Words of the Week - Mar. 27

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

17 Words for Dog Breeds

Popular

5 Verbal Slip Ups and Language Mistakes

12 Words for Signs of Spring

The Opposite of Déjà Vu

Games & Quizzes