infamy

[ in-fuh-mee ]

/ ˈɪn fə mi /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR infamy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural in·fa·mies for 3.

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.

infamous character or conduct.

an infamous act or circumstance.

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

Nearby words

infallibility, infallibility, papal, infallible, infamize, infamous, infamy, infancy, infant, infant apnea, infant mortality rate, infant prodigy

Origin of infamy

1425–75; late Middle English infamye < Latin infāmia, equivalent to infām(is) ill-famed (in- in-³ + fām(a) fame + -is adj. suffix) + -ia -y³

SYNONYMS FOR infamy

1 disrepute, obloquy, odium, opprobrium, shame. See disgrace.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR infamy ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR infamy

1 credit, honor.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR infamy ON THESAURUS.COM

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for infamy

Some were even questioning if the NFL could survive its own infamy.
How the Media Failed to Nail the NFL|Steve Almond|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Lane is one of those criminals whose 15 minutes of infamy never seem to end.
How To Plan A Jailbreak|Seth Ferranti|September 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Next day, DSK was perp-walking his way, haggard and grizzled, into infamy.
French Political Sex Movie About DSK Sets Cannes Aquiver|Tracy McNicoll|May 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
An adult-entertainment company wants Foxy Knoxy to take a paltry sum of money to extend her 15 minutes of infamy.
Porn Company Wants Amanda Knox To Star In Adult Entertainment Film|Lizzie Crocker|February 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

His family name lives in infamy as it adorns the plaza where Kennedy was shot.
The Essential JFK Books|Allen Barra|November 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
To Catherine de' Medici—perhaps justly—has been given the credit—or infamy, if you will—of its conception and execution.
The Great Events by Famous Historians, Vol. 1-20|Various
For my own part, I look upon the Neapolitans as the worst of intriguing enemies: every hour shows me their infamy and duplicity.
The Life of Horatio Lord Nelson|Robert Southey
Ask for cigarettes in any den of infamy in the levees of the city, and this brand will be forced on you.
The Vice Bondage of a Great City or the Wickedest City in the World|Robert O. Harland
I am not speaking of virtue; I should think nothing of infamy compared with the treasure of your love; but you do not love me.
The Poison Tree|Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
The foundation of honor or infamy, usefulness or mischief, happiness or misery, is commonly laid in the morning of life.
Sermons on Various Important Subjects|Andrew Lee

British Dictionary definitions for infamy

infamy

/ (ˈɪnfəmɪ) /

noun plural -mies

the state or condition of being infamous

an infamous act or event

Word Origin for infamy

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