infamous
- 1Well known by many people for being bad or evil.
Like being famous, but for doing bad things instead of good ones.
The pirate became infamous for raiding ships along the coast.
Their leader was infamous throughout the region for his cruelty.
Similarnotorious, disreputable
Oppositerenowned, celebrated, illustrious, esteemed
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- 2Bringing great shame and making someone look very bad.
Like an action so shameful that it stains everyone connected to it.
The treaty's terms were so unfair that critics called them infamous.
He committed an infamous act of treachery that shocked the whole nation.
Similarshameful, disgraceful, notorious, ignominious, heinous
Oppositehonorable, noble, admirable, glorious
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- 3Having lost certain legal rights because a court ordered it as a punishment.
After his conviction, he became infamous and lost the right to vote.
An infamous man could not hold any office or sit on a jury.
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Less common meaning
- 4Of a crime, serious enough to be punished by prison or death.
Robbery was treated as an infamous crime and could send a man to prison.
The judge ruled the act an infamous crime, punishable by death.
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Practice
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Origin
It comes from Latin, made from a word meaning 'not' plus a word linked to fame. English took it through Medieval Latin and Middle English.