infamy

[ in-fuh-mee ]
See synonyms for infamy on Thesaurus.com
noun,plural in·fa·mies for 3.
  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.

  2. infamous character or conduct.

  1. an infamous act or circumstance.

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

Origin of infamy

1
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-y3

synonym study For infamy

1. See disgrace.

Other words for infamy

Opposites for infamy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use infamy in a sentence

  • De Gery pointed out very clearly all the infamies and all the double dealing which surrounded him.

    The Nabob | Alphonse Daudet
  • Thus they strive to extend the blessings of God to the infamies of men.

    The Necessity of Atheism | Dr. D.M. Brooks
  • My guards related almost incredible tales of his cruelties and infamies.

  • In provincial cities, where everybody knows everybody else, such infamies are almost impossible.

    Other People's Money | Emile Gaboriau
  • But he denies that the Bible is responsible for those infamies.

    The Book Of God | G. W. Foote

British Dictionary definitions for infamy

infamy

/ (ˈɪnfəmɪ) /


nounplural -mies
  1. the state or condition of being infamous

  2. an infamous act or event

Origin of infamy

1
C15: from Latin infāmis of evil repute, from in- 1 + fāma fame

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012