scandal; bad reputation; infamy
Refers to a widely known disgrace or loss of good name, often from a public incident. Somewhat formal and less common in casual speech than スキャンダル.
The politician resigned, leaving behind a scandalous reputation.
The company responded quickly to avoid a scandal.
Compound of 醜 (shū, 'ugly, shameful') and 名 (mei, 'name, reputation'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with a tarnished name or public disgrace.