“Scandalous” is an adjective that describes something that causes public outrage, shock, or moral indignation due to its immoral, improper, or unethical nature. Here are some synonyms and their analyses:
1. Shocking
- Meaning: “Shocking” means causing a sudden and strong emotional reaction such as surprise, horror, or disgust. It emphasizes the impact on people's emotions. For example, “The shocking revelations in the report led to a public outcry.” In comparison to “scandalous,” “shocking” is more about the immediate reaction it elicits. While a scandalous event may also be shocking, “shocking” doesn't necessarily imply a moral or ethical transgression like “scandalous” often does.
- Example: “The shocking footage of the accident left viewers in a state of disbelief.”
2. Outrageous
- Meaning: “Outrageous” means extremely bold, unconventional, or offensive in a way that provokes anger or indignation. It implies a behavior or situation that goes beyond what is considered acceptable. For example, “The politician's outrageous remarks sparked a fierce debate.” Similar to “scandalous,” “outrageous” can describe actions that violate social norms or moral principles, but it may focus more on the boldness or extremity of the behavior.
- Example: “The outrageous demands of the strikers caught the management off - guard.”
3. Disreputable
- Meaning: “Disreputable” means having a bad reputation or being unworthy of respect. It refers to a person, place, or thing that is associated with immoral or unethical behavior. For example, “The disreputable nightclub was known for its illegal activities.” In contrast to “scandalous,” which emphasizes the scandal - causing nature of an event or behavior, “disreputable” focuses on the already - established negative reputation.
- Example: “He was seen in the company of disreputable characters.”
4. Infamous
- Meaning: “Infamous” means well - known for a bad quality or deed. It implies a certain level of notoriety due to something negative. For example, “The infamous criminal was finally captured.” “Infamous” is related to “scandalous” in that both involve a negative reputation, but “infamous” emphasizes the wide - spread knowledge of the bad deeds, while “scandalous” focuses more on the shock and moral outrage caused by the behavior.
- Example: “The infamous scandal rocked the small town for months.”