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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 Noem has promoted tough immigration enforcement through television ads and by visiting the notorious Salvadoran prison where Abrego Garcia was sent. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 15 May 2025 The extra steps of blind baking and adding a thin layer of cookie crumbs—amaretti pair particularly well with the rhubarb—help contain the pie plant’s notorious runaway juices. Ellen Gray, Saveur, 15 May 2025 The Maine native has become one of the most notorious figures in football in recent weeks. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2025 But in a twist of fate, his estranged grandfather, the notorious outlaw Harland Rust (Baldwin), breaks him out of jail, and the two flee to Mexico. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for notorious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notorious
Adjective
  • The most infamous was the CRASH (Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums) unit in the Rampart Division, assigned to the neighborhoods west of downtown L.A.
    Paul Solotaroff, Rolling Stone, 11 May 2025
  • The serial killer was convicted of murdering at least 33 teen boys and young men in the 1970s His last words after sitting on death row for 14 years became infamous John Wayne Gacy, a.k.a.
    Jordana Comiter, People.com, 10 May 2025
Adjective
  • The other, called Dominator, is owned by the famous chaser Reed Timmer.
    Jim Clash, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • The last three holes at this famous Charlotte venue are known as the Green Mile.
    Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • Gates has three ecosystems on her quarter-acre: a sunny front yard, a shady back plot and a small wetland garden on one side.
    USA Today, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • The fear this instills in I-Jing — already ignored by her busy mother, nor attended to by her mercurial older sister, I-Ann, who holds a grudge against her mother and rebels by working at a shady betel nut stand — sets off a secrets-unearthing chain of events.
    Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 14 May 2025
Adjective
  • The House of Nine team teamed up with famed Italian brand Rivolta Carmignani, which has been making top-notch linens since 1867 in Milan, for its onboard items.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 10 May 2025
  • Between them, the sisters bore the famed twelve tribes of Israel, from whom will descend Moses, Joshua, and eventually, two thousand years later, Jesus of Nazareth.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • Ottawa County prosecutors are considering pursuing criminal charges against the shooter, a 20-year-old, Sparks told the outlets.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 19 May 2025
  • MacLean’s criminal history is lengthy and spans multiple states.
    Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • His celebrated landscape series, such as The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō and One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, capture a lyrical relationship between people and place, expressed through subtle colour, elegant composition, and a deep sensitivity to the rhythms of nature and travel.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
  • Germany has had a taste, too, with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) recently acquiring its celebrated chemicals company Covestro for nearly €15 billion.
    Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • As one of silvaner’s most prominent and historic producers, Wirsching has spent much of her career introducing silvaner to the world.
    Anna Lee Iijima, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2025
  • The gym makes its most prominent return in the universe's seventh installment, the beginning of the Creed franchise.
    Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 13 May 2025
Adjective
  • This masterpiece is the brainchild of Enrique Fonseca, a renowned distiller and master blender.
    Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 14 May 2025
  • Chalamet, a native of the city, is a renowned fan of the blue and orange and notably stayed home to watch the first game of the series while Jenner flew solo at the Met Gala.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 14 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Notorious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notorious. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

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