infamous
Americanadjective
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having an extremely bad reputation.
an infamous city.
- Synonyms:
- notorious, ill-famed, disreputable
- Antonyms:
- reputable
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deserving of or causing an evil reputation; shamefully malign; detestable.
an infamous deed.
- Synonyms:
- villainous, heinous, base, vile, shocking, wicked, odious, nefarious, scandalous, disgraceful
- Antonyms:
- admirable, praiseworthy
-
Law.
-
deprived of certain rights as a citizen, as a consequence of conviction of certain offenses.
-
of or relating to offenses involving such deprivation.
-
adjective
-
having a bad reputation; notorious
-
causing or deserving a bad reputation; shocking
infamous conduct
-
criminal law
-
(of a person) deprived of certain rights of citizenship on conviction of certain offences
-
(of a crime or punishment) entailing such deprivation
-
Usage
What does infamous mean? Infamous means having, deserving, or resulting in a bad or evil reputation.The word is typically used to describe people, actions, and events. It’s especially used in the context of violent crimes, scandals, and tragedies.Infamous is often used interchangeably with the word notorious, which most commonly means famous or well-known for a negative reason.But infamous is also sometimes used in a more general way to describe things, such as behavior, as shameful, shocking, detestable, vile, heinous, or scandalous.The state of quality of being infamous is infamy.Example: The infamous bank robber was known for setting fire to the crime scene while making his escape.
Other Word Forms
- infamously adverb
- infamousness noun
Etymology
Origin of infamous
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin infām(is) ( infamy ) + -ous
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Security guard Pascal Duvier, most recently infamous for allegedly scolding 11-year-old Ada Law at a hotel in São Paulo, is clearing the air.
From Los Angeles Times
But the infamous gas station at the corner of Alameda Street and East Cesar Chavez Avenue across from Union Station on Thursday afternoon was busy nonetheless, with a a steady stream of customers.
From Los Angeles Times
Justice Minister Naomi Long said that "anyone profiting from being infamous is always a major concern" and that she does not believe that anyone "should profit from criminal activity of any kind".
From BBC
Those of ancient lineage may be thinking of the infamous LBJ phone call badgering the head of ABC to get college-football broadcasts for Lady Bird’s TV station.
Part of the answer is simple: his infamous black book of contacts.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
