infamy

[in-fuh-mee]

noun

plural

infamies 

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.

   Synonyms: obloquy, disrepute, shame, opprobrium, odium
   Antonyms: honor, credit

2. infamous character or conduct.

3. an infamous act or circumstance.

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

infamy

/ ˈɪnfəmɪ /

noun

1. the state or condition of being infamous

2. an infamous act or event

Word History and Origins

Origin of infamy¹

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 -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of infamy¹

C15: from Latin infāmis of evil repute, from _in- ¹ + fāma _fame

Synonym Study

See disgrace.

Example Sentences

Maybe this explains the creator’s choice to make the towering media malpractice that cemented Knox’s infamy a minor character as opposed to the acid geyser etching her supposed malice into our collective memory.

From Salon

But his grilled cheese will live on in infamy through endless fan commentary and even its own merch.

From Salon

Brady and Hindley achieved infamy in the 1960s as the Moors murderers - so-called because they buried four of their five young victims on Saddleworth Moor, north-east of Manchester.

From BBC

Deya, who ran a church in London, rose to infamy in the early 2000s, following his claim that he could help infertile couples conceive "miracle" babies through prayer.

From BBC

It is "American Psycho," a fictional tale of infamy inside the protagonist's mind and cruelly appointed apartment, that showed Harron as a master visual interpreter of popular literature as well as popular history.

From Salon

Related Words

• notoriety 
• opprobrium 

When To Use

What does infamy mean?

Infamy is the state of having a bad or evil reputation—the state of being infamous.The adjective infamous means having, deserving, or resulting in a bad or evil reputation. It’s typically used to describe people, actions, and events. It’s especially used in the context of violent crimes, scandals, and tragedies.Infamous is also sometimes used in a more general way to describe things, such as behavior, as shocking, detestable, vile, heinous, or scandalous.Infamy can mean infamous behavior, or it can mean the condemnation resulting from such behavior. Sometimes, it means about the same thing as shame or disgrace.Infamy is often used interchangeably with the word notoriety, which is the state or quality of being notorious—famous or well-known for a negative reason. But while notoriety can be used in a more neutral way to mean about the same thing as fame, infamy is always used negatively and usually involves a bad reputation.Example: Their heinous crimes will live in infamy.