infamous

in·fa·mous

adjective \ˈin-fə-məs\

Definition of INFAMOUS

1

: having a reputation of the worst kind : notoriously evil <an infamous traitor>

2

: causing or bringing infamy : disgraceful <an infamous crime>

3

: convicted of an offense bringing infamy

— in·fa·mous·ly adverb

Examples of INFAMOUS

1. a city infamous for poverty and crime
2. He committed an infamous crime.
3. The most infamous of South America's poisonous snakes are the ringed coral snake and the pit viper. —Candice Millard, The River of Doubt, 2005
4. Clemens is famous, or maybe infamous, for his brushback pitches and in particular for his penchant for “doubling up,” throwing two brushbacks in a row. —Pat Jordan, New York Times Magazine, 4 Mar. 2001
5. Instead we invoke the infamous dark matter, also known to make up most of the mass of other galaxies (both spiral and elliptical), clusters of galaxies, and the universe. What is it? Your guess may not be quite as good as mine, but almost. —Virginia Trimble et al., Sky & Telescope, January 1995

Origin of INFAMOUS

Middle English, from Latin infamis, from in- + fama fame

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to INFAMOUS

Synonyms

discreditable, disgraceful, dishonorable, ignominious, disreputable, louche, notorious, opprobrious, shady, shameful, shoddy, shy, unrespectable

Antonyms

honorable, reputable, respectable

Related Words

bad, criminal, immoral, seamy, sordid, unethical, unsavory, wicked; base, contemptible, despicable, detestable, dirty, low, mean, miserable, vile, wretched; black, evil, iniquitous, nefarious, rotten, sinful, unrighteous, vicious, villainous, wrong; blamable, blameworthy, censurable, inglorious, reprehensible; corrupt, debased, debauched, degenerate, depraved, dissolute, gamy (or gamey), libertine, loose, perverted, reprobate

Near Antonyms

decent, ethical, good, honest, just, moral, noble, principled, righteous, upright, upstanding; esteemed, prestigious, reputed, respected; authorized, legal, licensed, permissible, permitted; approved, endorsed (also indorsed), sanctioned; clean, correct, decorous, exemplary, proper, seemly; blameless, commendable, creditable, guiltless