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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 According to a criminal complaint, Martinez is a ranking member of the Latin Kings, a gang notorious for violent crimes and drug trafficking across Chicago and other cities. Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025 The show then dials back to February 22, 2019, another notorious day in the Murdaugh family dynasty. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025 Eclipse energy is notorious for clearing that which cannot follow us forward, and this month is about understanding what was removed, what was revealed, and what has been gained in the process. Tatianna Tarot, Refinery29, 14 Oct. 2025 The Philippines' location on the Pacific Ring of Fire—a zone notorious for seismic and volcanic activity—heightens the country's risk of earthquakes and tsunamis. Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for notorious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notorious
Adjective
  • But for all the good times, Furmanovsky also captures the infamous tension between Liam and Noel that would lead to the band’s breakup in 2009.
    Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Remember the infamous 2002 pre-World Cup showdown between Republic of Ireland soccer coach Mick McCarthy and captain Roy Keane?
    Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Joining him for color commentary is Dell Curry — former Sixth Man of the Year with the Hornets, current famous dad of Steph and Seth.
    Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Expect crowds to flock to the beloved establishment, which over the years has hosted many famous folks like James Brown, Alan Jackson, the late President Jimmy Carter, and the late Congressman John Lewis.
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Trim low limbs on evergreen trees and shrubs to allow more sunlight in shady areas.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Riders will queue up in an expansive (and thankfully shady) warehouse structure that resembles garages seen in the films.
    Tom Tapp, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • French authorities swarmed the museum in the 24 hours following, with photographs from outside the famed museum showing forensics investigators searching the scene for clues.
    Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
  • The country is also home to over 10,000 waterfalls and lagoons, and now exploring those famed waterways just got easier.
    Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • As Robbie's actions target stash houses run by the notorious Dark Hearts motorcycle gang, a deadly turf war erupts, escalating tensions in the city and drawing both law enforcement and criminal factions into a high-stakes battle over control, survival and justice.
    Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Texas will deter criminal mischief and work with local law enforcement to arrest anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property.
    NPR, NPR, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Mark Rosenblatt’s Olivier Award-winning play Giant starring John Lithgow as iconic children’s author Roald Dahl has set its Broadway opening date for Monday, March 23, 2026, and will bring much of its celebrated London cast to New York.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025
  • During the 14 years between Voodoo and Black Messiah, D’Angelo set out to master the electric guitar, with the results of all that hard work coursing through the celebrated LP.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In the first few months that initiative has closed down two homeless camps, including a prominent one in Fountain Square, and housed 30 people living in them, according to project leaders.
    Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 15 Oct. 2025
  • The series traces what was going on with the prominent Murdaugh family in the years before Alex was convicted of shooting and killing Maggie and Paul on their family farm in 2021 and found guilty of two counts of possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime.
    Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Today, the park impresses with its modern engineering and renowned aesthetics.
    Zachary Laks, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Three long years later, Ruf, which is renowned for the craftsmanship of its high-performance builds, shipped the coupe back across the Atlantic, with more power than before.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Notorious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notorious. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

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