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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 That group were the school shooters and mass murderers that are notorious in this country. Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 3 Sep. 2025 Also on Tuesday, a video with Didi showing off boxes of Haitian money wrapped with bank slips circulated on Haitian social media alongside postings of other notorious gang leaders partying over the weekend in various parts of the capital. Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2025 The superstar outfielder is on an expiring contract, and the Cubs aren't necessarily notorious for signing players to mega-contracts. Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025 The video offers a rosy view of the situation on the ground in a theatre that has become notorious for human wave attacks and horrific attrition rates on the Russian side. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 1 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for notorious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notorious
Adjective
  • Rival organizations to the Missouri group include the infamous biker group Hell’s Angels, along with the Outlaws, El forastero, Galloping Goose, Sons of Silence and Bandidos biker groups.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Rasheed was mostly raised by a single mother who struggled financially, in San Diego’s Skyline neighborhood, infamous for being a hotbed of gang activity.
    Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Eufy Marswalker and RoboVac Omni S2 This is the famous stair climber.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Beethoven's Ninth, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Some classical music organizations would save Beethoven's famous symphony for the final program of the season to end with a big splash.
    Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Maybe not something drastic like a world war, slavery or the Holocaust, but there’s always shady s–t going on.
    Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Meursault also starts hanging out with his shady and brutish French neighbor, Raymond (Pierre Lottin), whose abusive relationship with an Algerian girl (Hajar Bouzaouit) eventually leads to the murder.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Oscar Isaac stars as Victor Frankenstein, the famed scientist of classical literature who brings a creature (Jacob Elordi) to life through a monstrous experiment.
    Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Sep. 2025
  • In preparation for the role, Marbeck researched Godard’s work prior to Breathless — from short films to his film criticism for the famed French movie magazine Cahiers du Cinema.
    Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The Office of the Inspector General launched a criminal investigation and determined the shots had been fired from where two FBI agents and an Oregon State Police officer had been standing.
    Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Abrego was brought back in June to face criminal charges of transporting migrants living in the United States illegally.
    Ted Hesson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Published earlier this year by Riverhead Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, Audition is described as a twisty thriller that follows a celebrated actress enjoying a charmed, bohemian life in Manhattan with her creative husband.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025
  • As for the appearance of a celebrated Beatle, that moment also had roots in the past.
    Marco della Cava, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Kirk, a prominent voice in culture wars on college campuses, hosts a daily radio show and podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, which ranks among the top 10 on Apple News’ list of top podcasts and has a strong Gen Z fan base.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
  • On Tuesday night, the Nepali army deployed troops to restore order after prominent government buildings were set on fire, politicians were attacked and violent clashes erupted between protesters and government forces.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • In the center of it lies the cast bronze Caryatid, circa 1870, attributed to French sculptor Louis-Félix Chabaud, who is renowned for his sculptures at the Louvre and the Palais Garnier opera house.
    Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Netflix’s new film Inspector Zende dramatizes the relentless pursuit of Charles Sobhraj by Madhukar Zende, one of India’s most renowned police officers.
    Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 5 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Notorious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notorious. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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