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Scandal Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ”ฅ
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scandal

[หˆskรฆndl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

public disgrace

An action or event regarded as morally or legally wrong and causing general public outrage.

Synonyms

controversy, disgrace, outrage, shame.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
scandal

Use when referring to a public incident that causes widespread shock or disapproval, often involving moral or legal wrongdoing.

  • The politician was embroiled in a corruption scandal that dominated headlines for weeks.
  • The company's illegal dumping of waste led to a major environmental scandal.
controversy

Use when discussing a prolonged public disagreement or heated discussion, typically involving differing opinions or interpretations.

  • The new policy on immigration sparked a controversy among the citizens.
  • There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the author's latest book.
shame

Use when referring to a feeling of guilt, humiliation, or disgrace following a particular event or action. Often has a strong emotional component and a personal aspect.

  • He felt deep shame for betraying his friend's trust.
  • The family lived in shame after the father's criminal activities were exposed.
outrage

Use when describing an intense reaction of anger or shock from the public due to someone's conduct or an event.

  • The government's decision to cut healthcare funding caused public outrage.
  • There was widespread outrage over the unfair treatment of workers.
disgrace

Use when describing a situation in which someone loses respect or stands in public's eyes due to their actions, often indicating personal failure or moral corruption.

  • The athlete fell into disgrace after it was discovered he had been using performance-enhancing drugs.
  • After the embezzlement scandal, the CEO left the company in disgrace.

Examples of usage

  • The scandal involving the politician shocked the nation.
  • The company was involved in a major scandal last year.
Context #2 | Verb

damaging reputation

To damage the reputation of (someone) by accusing them of a wrongdoing.

Synonyms

defame, slander, smear.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
scandal

Used to describe an event or action that causes public outrage or shock due to its immoral or illegal nature. Often involves well-known figures or institutions.

  • The politicianโ€™s bribery scandal dominated the news for weeks
  • The company was involved in a massive financial scandal
defame

Used in formal or legal contexts to describe the act of damaging someoneโ€™s reputation through false statements. This can occur in written or spoken forms.

  • The actor sued the newspaper for defaming her character
  • His career was ruined after he was defamed by false accusations
slander

Refers specifically to making false spoken statements that damage a person's reputation. This term is often used in legal contexts.

  • She accused her colleague of slander after he falsely claimed she stole money
  • The company faced a lawsuit for slandering a former employee
smear

Often used in informal or political contexts, refers to deliberately spreading false or misleading information to damage someone's reputation. It carries a negative connotation.

  • The opposition party tried to smear the candidateโ€™s reputation with unfounded rumors
  • The artist found it difficult to ignore the smear campaign against him

Examples of usage

  • He was scandalized by the false accusations made against him.
  • The tabloid newspaper scandalized the celebrity with false stories.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Context

  • In the 17th century, scandals often involved royalty, where affairs or political plots created public outrage.
  • The Watergate scandal in the 1970s led to President Nixon's resignation and showcased the impact of political scandal on governance.

Pop Culture

  • Reality TV shows often thrive on scandal, with dramatic revelations keeping audiences engaged.
  • Many songs and movies are inspired by scandals, turning them into narratives that captivate large audiences.

Psychology

  • Scandals can trigger strong emotional responses, causing people to feel outrage, betrayal, or excitement.
  • The phenomenon of 'schadenfreude' illustrates why people often take pleasure in the misfortunes of others involved in scandals.

Media

  • News outlets capitalize on scandals to drive viewership, often leading to sensationalist reporting.
  • Social media has amplified how quickly scandals can spread, sometimes resulting in immediate public backlash.

Origin of 'scandal'

Main points about word origin

  • The word derives from the Greek 'skandalon', which means 'trap' or 'stumbling block'.
  • It entered the English language in the late Middle Ages, reflecting the idea of causing someone to fall into moral trouble.

The word 'scandal' originated from the Latin word 'scandalum' which meant 'stumbling block' or 'offense'. In ancient times, scandal was associated with religious or moral wrongdoing. Over the years, the term has evolved to encompass any action or event that causes public outrage or disgrace.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,738 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.