scandalize
verb
scan·dal·ize ˈskan-də-ˌlīz 
scandalized; scandalizing
1
: to offend the moral sense of : shock
She was scandalized by his behavior.
2
archaic : to speak falsely or maliciously of
3
archaic : to bring into reproach
Examples of scandalize in a Sentence
She was scandalized by her son's behavior.
Recent Examples on the Web
Although today’s audiences might be more desensitized to such gruesome scenes thanks to hyperrealistic special effects in modern horror movies, and the commonplace spread of graphic clips online, audiences of the ‘80s were reportedly traumatized and scandalized. —
Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026 The new movie — which also stars Barbie Ferreira as a content moderator trying to stop the killer — depicts our increasing desensitization to the kind of explicit footage that Faces of Death once scandalized viewers with. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026 Gossip Girl dealt in all things illicit across for over 120 episodes, scandalizing its young audience and making stars of its ensemble. —Rachel Desantis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026 In between were a series of peaks and valleys, some scandalized in the tabloids, others kept behind closed doors until after the couple finalized their divorce in August 1996. —Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scandalize
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.
Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2026 The new movie — which also stars Barbie Ferreira as a content moderator trying to stop the killer — depicts our increasing desensitization to the kind of explicit footage that Faces of Death once scandalized viewers with. —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2026 Gossip Girl dealt in all things illicit across for over 120 episodes, scandalizing its young audience and making stars of its ensemble. —Rachel Desantis, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Apr. 2026 In between were a series of peaks and valleys, some scandalized in the tabloids, others kept behind closed doors until after the couple finalized their divorce in August 1996. —Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for scandalize
Cite this Entry
“Scandalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/scandalize. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
scandalize
verb
scan·dal·ize ˈskan-də-ˌlīz
scandalized; scandalizing
1
archaic : to speak of in a false or vicious way
2
: to shock the moral sense of
their actions scandalized the neighbors
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