notoriety

noun

no·​to·​ri·​e·​ty ˌnō-tə-ˈrī-ə-tē How to pronounce notoriety (audio)
plural notorieties
Synonyms of notorietynext
1
: the quality or state of being notorious
… the city's notoriety for corrupt and incompetent government.R. E. Merriam
2
: a notorious person
… the errors of notorieties and crowned heads …James Joyce

Examples of notoriety in a Sentence

He achieved instant fame and notoriety with the release of his film. She gained notoriety when nude photographs of her appeared in a magazine. His comment about the President has given him a notoriety that he enjoys very much.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Despite first gaining notoriety as a frantic comedy YouTuber, the singer has spent most of the last decade as a purveyor of somber alt-R&B. Mehan Jayasuriya, Pitchfork, 11 Feb. 2026 In 2014, Rosso brought on British fashion star John Galliano, who logged an eventful decade at the house, catapulting its global notoriety and fashion credentials. Miles Socha, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026 Nationwide, with more than 3,000 robots delivering food between the two leading companies, the robots are gaining traction, visibility and some notoriety. Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026 In the Lindbergh case, thousands of phony ransom notes came in, whether from those hungry for cash or notoriety, hoping to get a bite by association with the desperate aviator’s story. Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for notoriety

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French notorieté, from Medieval Latin notorietat-, notorietas, from notorius

First Known Use

circa 1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of notoriety was circa 1650

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Cite this Entry

“Notoriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/notoriety. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

notoriety

noun
no·​to·​ri·​ety
ˌnōt-ə-ˈrī-ət-ē
plural notorieties
: the quality or state of being notorious

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