NOTORIOUS Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

notorious

adjective

nō-ˈtȯr-ē-əs

Definition of notorious

as in infamous

not respectable a notorious mastermind of terrorist activities

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in famous

widely known a book signing for a notorious author of tell-all celebrity biographies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 However, no matter what happens with the numerous cases against them, Andrew Tate remains one of the most fascinating — if notorious — individuals of the internet age. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Oct. 2026 Utah authorities have identified notorious serial killer Ted Bundy as the killer of 17-year-old Melissa Ann Smith, closing a homicide investigation 52 years to the day after her body was discovered. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 This is the old Route 66 over Sitgreaves Pass, one of the highway’s most notorious surviving stretches. — Harry Bruinius, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Oct. 2026 This notorious commercial entity, a precursor of the global corporations of today and big enough to command its own army, ruthlessly exploited foreign resources, human and material. — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for notorious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for notorious

Adjective

His pathetic, dangerous charade reminds me of an infamous voter fraud case from 30 years ago.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Disney+ and Hulu have greenlit a reboot of Ryan Murphy‘s famous (and infamous) musical dramedy series.

— Selome Hailu, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of infamous

Adjective

Both about power-mad blondes getting involved with the shadier side of the medical industrial complex, but Matt Hagen’s nanites worked, dammit!

— Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2026
Many shady electronics companies are happy to sell you the wrong component for the wrong price.

— Tim Stevens, ArsTechnica, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of shady

Adjective

That’s right, more than Napa and Sonoma or Virginia—all areas far more famed for their vino and vines than Western North Carolina.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
Outwardly, the book and film both seek to imbue this event with the significance of the famed Christmas truce soccer matches between British and German forces in the no-man’s-land of the First World War.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of famed

Adjective

The police spokesperson said Perez was taken into custody without incident and charged with menacing and criminal possession of a weapon.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
The leader of one of Haiti’s most powerful criminal organizations said the Salvadorans were killed in territory controlled by Chen Mechan, an allied gang.

— Widlore Mérancourt, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of criminal

Adjective

In the center of the lounge there’s an imposing green marble bar—a tribute to the celebrated Italian architect Piero Portaluppi—that serves as the focal point of the space.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Oct. 2026
In that time, the celebrated documentary series has been through nearly every iteration of the TV business — and is about to embark on a new one.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of celebrated

Adjective

On election night in 2025, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani began his victory speech by quoting Eugene Debs, one of the most prominent socialists in 20th-century American politics.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
Owners Atlanta Dream The scheduling dispute also drew attention beyond the league, with prominent figures weighing in on the unusual Thursday afternoon tipoff.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of prominent

Adjective

His new film, which centers on secrets in a renowned vineyard uncovered, slow-burn-style, by a worker and wine critic, aims to land in the $3-$5 million range and potentially attract some even bigger-name talent.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026
The Swedish baritone Peter Mattei, who sings Lincoln, is tall and rightly renowned for his rich, unmuddy voice, here channelled into plausible Midwestern vowels.

— Nathan Heller, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of renowned

Browse Nearby Words

notoriety

notorious

not to mention

See all Nearby Words

Articles Related to notorious

Cite this Entry

Style

“Notorious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notorious. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of notorious

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

The Words of the Week - Dec. 1

Is 'notorious' always negative?

10 Unpleasant People Whose Names Became...

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

wraith

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes