infamous

[ in-fuh-muhs ]

adjective

1. having an extremely bad reputation:

   an infamous city.

   Synonyms: ill-famed, notorious, disreputable

   Antonyms: reputable

2. 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

3. Law.
   1. deprived of certain rights as a citizen, as a consequence of conviction of certain offenses.
   2. of or relating to offenses involving such deprivation.

infamous

/ ˈɪnfəməs /

adjective

1. having a bad reputation; notorious
2. causing or deserving a bad reputation; shocking

   infamous conduct

3. criminal law formerly
   1. (of a person) deprived of certain rights of citizenship on conviction of certain offences
   2. (of a crime or punishment) entailing such deprivation

Derived Forms

• ˈinfamousness, noun
• ˈinfamously, adverb

Other Words From

• infa·mous·ly adverb
• infa·mous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of infamous¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin infām(is) ( infamy ) + -ous

Example Sentences

Well, to look back at that infamous Twitter takeover is to recall that it involved roping in Musk’s most trusted yes-men—David Sacks, Steve Davis, Joe Lonsdale—who are also advising Trump at this very moment on how he should regulate the industries they work in.

From Slate

Both are infamous anti-immigrant agitators.

From Los Angeles Times

There were jeers for Ohio's Paul, who wore a diamond spiked ear cover and referenced the infamous title fight where Tyson bit a chunk out of Evander Holyfield's ear in 1997.

From BBC

Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines, which Williams co-wrote, is heard briefly on the soundtrack, without referencing the song's infamous plagiarism trial, which left the musician owing $5m to the estate of Marvin Gaye.

From BBC

Manson died in 2017 while serving a commuted death sentence for masterminding an infamous spate of murders in Los Angeles in 1969.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disgraceful
• egregious
• hateful
• heinous
• ignominious
• monstrous
• notorious
• outrageous
• scandalous
• shocking
• vicious
• vile