scandal
The word carries a heavy weight of public judgment and social shame. It is not merely a mistake or a crime, but a transgression that violates the shared moral expectations of a community. The feeling is one of betrayal and shock, often involving a fall from grace for someone in a position of power.
In modern usage, it often oscillates between genuine moral outrage and a form of tabloid entertainment. While it can describe a devastating life event, it is frequently used in political contexts to describe a strategic crisis that requires damage control.
Countable when referring to specific incidents of public outrage, such as a corruption scandal or a cheating scandal.
Meanings
Examples
The corruption scandal led to the downfall of the entire administration.
His reckless behavior during the ceremony scandalized the guests.
Phrasal Verbs
scandalize into
to shock someone so deeply that they are forced into a specific state or action
The sudden revelation of the fraud scandalized the board into demanding an immediate audit.