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Synonym Chooser

How is the word notorious different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of notorious are celebrated, distinguished, eminent, famous, illustrious, noted, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil.

a notorious gangster

When is celebrated a more appropriate choice than notorious?

The meanings of celebrated and notorious largely overlap; however, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When would distinguished be a good substitute for notorious?

The words distinguished and notorious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

In what contexts can eminent take the place of notorious?

In some situations, the words eminent and notorious are roughly equivalent. However, eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When could famous be used to replace notorious?

Although the words famous and notorious have much in common, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

When can illustrious be used instead of notorious?

The synonyms illustrious and notorious are sometimes interchangeable, but illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

When is it sensible to use noted instead of notorious?

While the synonyms noted and notorious are close in meaning, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

When might renowned be a better fit than notorious?

The words renowned and notorious can be used in similar contexts, but renowned implies more glory and acclamation.

one of the most renowned figures in sports history

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 notorious The 1988 Walsh Street police shootings are among the most notorious incidents connected to the family (and dramatized in the Animal Kingdom movie). Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 17 June 2025 Jason Universe celebrates the legacy of one of the most notorious killers in cinematic history in a new haunted house dedicated to the infamous Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th film franchise. Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 13 June 2025 Target’s dresses are notorious for selling out, so make sure to shop your favorites early in order to score your preferred size, color, and pattern. Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2025 In a 69-page decision issued Wednesday, Chief U.S. District Judge James Boasberg found the men—who were flown out of the U.S. just hours after Trump invoked the 1798 law on March 15—were denied due process and unlawfully sent to El Salvador's notorious CECOT megaprison. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for notorious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notorious
Adjective
  • Hargitay, 61, was just 3 and survived the infamous 1967 car crash that killed Mansfield, but has no memory of her famous mom.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 27 June 2025
  • That’s what happened in Vermont, after an infamous Vermont Supreme Court decision in 1978.
    Betsy Z. Russell, Idaho Statesman, 26 June 2025
Adjective
  • How quantum histories interfere One of the most famous demonstrations of the mysterious nature of quantum mechanics is called the double-slit experiment.
    Matt von Hippel, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2025
  • The American’s most famous painting Madame X (circa 1884) caused a scandal at the time for depicting socialite Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau with a dress strap hanging down off her shoulder.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • In the back garden, for example, there’s a shady grove with hammocks and low seating that is one of the couple’s favorite places to enjoy quiet moments.
    Katia Contreras, Architectural Digest, 19 June 2025
  • Best Types of Hibiscus for Hummingbirds Hibiscus plants come in a range of options—from native perennials to tropical annuals—all of which attract hummingbirds and are suited for sunny to partly shady spaces, says Myers.
    Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Venice’s famed waterways and winding streets have hosted an array of high-profile weddings including François-Henri Pinault and Salma Hayek-Pinault in 2009, George and Amal Clooney in 2014, and Alexandre Arnault and Géraldine Guyot in 2021.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 27 June 2025
  • On July 5, the History Alive event will feature family-friendly activities based on famed Floridians, including poetry writing — on a typewriter — a la Zora Neale Hurston, oil painting like Bob Ross might guide and NASA boxes that mimic training for astronauts such as Orlando’s own John Young.
    Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • Though the counts of second degree murder and armed criminal action, as well as others, were Jones’ first felony convictions, his criminal record in Municipal Court was chock full of warning signs.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2025
  • Murphy later found the administration violated his order by flying eight criminal migrants to South Sudan, a country the State Department has warned against traveling to due to conflict and instability.
    Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • For 46 years it’s been a wonderful ride, the sweetest of sagas, the Buss family treating the Lakers like their precocious child, nurturing, embracing, empowering, transforming them into arguably this country’s most celebrated sports franchise.
    Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025
  • Located on the mezzanine level of the Sainsbury Wing which has reopened following a two-and-a-half-year transformational renovation and rehang in the galleries, the 80-seater restaurant and bar offers guests a unique opportunity to experience Chef Giorgio’s celebrated Italian cooking.
    Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Adjective
  • Panahi has been the most prominent and consistent artistic voice in Iran against the current regime.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 18 June 2025
  • All of those players are gone now — and the most prominent of the bunch have followed Lovullo closer to the other coast.
    Andy McCullough, New York Times, 18 June 2025
Adjective
  • Since his retirement in 2017, Dickey, baseball’s last renowned knuckleballer, has watched the pitch slowly fade in a game increasingly focused on velocity and strikeouts.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • Why the Hills have returned is still a mystery, but what is known is that Bobby is now a renowned chef.
    James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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