infamy

[in-fuh-mee]

noun

plural

infamies 

1. extremely bad reputation, public reproach, or strong condemnation as the result of a shameful, criminal, or outrageous act.

   a time that will live in infamy.

   Synonyms: obloquy, disrepute, shame, opprobrium, odium
   Antonyms: honor, credit

2. infamous character or conduct.

3. an infamous act or circumstance.

4. Law.,  loss of rights, incurred by conviction of an infamous offense.

infamy

/ ˈɪnfəmɪ /

noun

1. the state or condition of being infamous

2. an infamous act or event

Word History and Origins

Origin of infamy¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English infamye, from Latin infāmia, equivalent to infām(is) “ill-famed” ( in- in- ³ + fām(a) fame + -is adjective suffix) + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of infamy¹

C15: from Latin infāmis of evil repute, from _in- ¹ + fāma _fame

Synonym Study

See disgrace.

Example Sentences

And then, years later, reality TV infamy with his own BBC documentary - not forgetting his role in I'm a Celebrity's "strawberry-gate".

From BBC

As vice president and president of the senate, it was her responsibility to confirm the election on Jan. 6, a date in infamy after the insurrection that took place on the same date in 2021.

From Los Angeles Times

After six decades of admiration - and later, infamy - India's most iconic warplane is finally taking its last flight on Friday.

From BBC

Zalaegerszeg in western Hungary does not get to join the hall of infamy, not after Scotland won a fairly joyless, but wholly professional, behind-closed-doors contest against Belarus.

From BBC

Maybe this explains the creator’s choice to make the towering media malpractice that cemented Knox’s infamy a minor character as opposed to the acid geyser etching her supposed malice into our collective memory.

From Salon

Related Words

• notoriety 
• opprobrium 

When To Use

What does infamy mean?

Infamy is the state of having a bad or evil reputation—the state of being infamous.The adjective infamous means having, deserving, or resulting in a bad or evil reputation. It’s typically used to describe people, actions, and events. It’s especially used in the context of violent crimes, scandals, and tragedies.Infamous is also sometimes used in a more general way to describe things, such as behavior, as shocking, detestable, vile, heinous, or scandalous.Infamy can mean infamous behavior, or it can mean the condemnation resulting from such behavior. Sometimes, it means about the same thing as shame or disgrace.Infamy is often used interchangeably with the word notoriety, which is the state or quality of being notorious—famous or well-known for a negative reason. But while notoriety can be used in a more neutral way to mean about the same thing as fame, infamy is always used negatively and usually involves a bad reputation.Example: Their heinous crimes will live in infamy.