Synonym Chooser

How does the noun infamy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of infamy are disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, and ignominy. While all these words mean "the state or condition of suffering loss of esteem and of enduring reproach," infamy usually implies notoriety as well as exceeding shame.

a day that lives in infamy

When can disgrace be used instead of infamy?

The words disgrace and infamy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disgrace often implies humiliation and sometimes ostracism.

sent home in disgrace

In what contexts can dishonor take the place of infamy?

In some situations, the words dishonor and infamy are roughly equivalent. However, dishonor emphasizes the loss of honor that one has enjoyed or the loss of self-esteem.

preferred death to life with dishonor

When is it sensible to use disrepute instead of infamy?

Although the words disrepute and infamy have much in common, disrepute stresses loss of one's good name or the acquiring of a bad reputation.

a once proud name fallen into disrepute

When would ignominy be a good substitute for infamy?

The words ignominy and infamy can be used in similar contexts, but ignominy stresses humiliation.

the ignominy of being arrested

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of infamy In the seven-minute music video, released in June 2009, Gaga plays a fallen star who murders her boyfriend to reach an even higher level of infamy. Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025 Double-amputee Olympian Oscar Pistorius went from being seen at the 2012 London Games as a model of overcoming adversity to a place of infamy after the South African sprinter was convicted of killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2015. Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025 Derek Chauvin grew in infamy for killing George Floyd in 2020, sparking the wave of Black Lives Matter protests all across America amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 5 Mar. 2025 Till’s death hadn’t been a news story in decades—the Bryants were living in quiet infamy, while Milam had died a couple of years earlier. Elon Green, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infamy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infamy
Noun
  • Northwest Stadium would be light years better than that current disgrace of a football stadium that the Terrapins currently call home.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The Kingmaker shows how Imelda Marcos was able to overcome exile and disgrace after the ouster of her husband, dictator Ferdinand Marcos, and eventually resuscitate her image and her children’s political viability.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Adidas Has Double Discounts on Comfy Sneakers and Travel-ready Styles—Deals Start at $27 Vionic Tide Melo Sandals $85 $55 at Amazon These Tide Melo sandals put regular flip-flops to shame.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2025
  • After the Halls admitted the charges were true, both resigned in shame — Katie serving probation and Junifer going to federal prison for 16 months.
    Steve Patterson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Infamy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infamy. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on infamy

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