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 The missed putt will live in U.S. Open infamy, unfortunately for McIlroy. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025 What's next for Morgan Wallen in 2025 2025 finds Wallen achieving his peak in both fame and infamy. Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 31 Dec. 2024 Bernstein demanded that Vienna, and Europe in general, acknowledge what both America and Mahler meant to the 20th century—the century that the Europeans had played such a dreadful part in and that the Americans had helped liberate from infamy. David Denby, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025 The ovations for Bernstein went on forever in part because Vienna was celebrating its release from infamy. David Denby, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infamy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infamy
Noun
  • Luca Zaia, the head of the surrounding Veneto region, calls the protests a disgrace.
    Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Money, 17 June 2025
  • Of course—as at any breakthrough moment, any evolutionary threshold of the psyche—you’re being swarmed by the old demons, now at extra strength: guilt, disgrace, an image of your mother scolding you.
    James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • Their cruelty is wielded without shame or restraint.
    James Folta, Literary Hub, 27 June 2025
  • His parents, Polish immigrants who fled German conquest and discrimination, took Indian land—and felt shame over doing so, having been uprooted themselves.
    Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Infamy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infamy. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on infamy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!