infamy

noun

ˈin-fə-mē How to pronounce infamy (audio)
Definition of infamynext
as in disgrace
the state of having lost the esteem of others despite her eventual pardons, she could never completely free herself of the infamy of being named a war criminal

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the noun infamy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of infamy are disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, and ignominy. While all these words mean "the state or condition of suffering loss of esteem and of enduring reproach," infamy usually implies notoriety as well as exceeding shame.

a day that lives in infamy

When can disgrace be used instead of infamy?

The words disgrace and infamy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disgrace often implies humiliation and sometimes ostracism.

sent home in disgrace

In what contexts can dishonor take the place of infamy?

In some situations, the words dishonor and infamy are roughly equivalent. However, dishonor emphasizes the loss of honor that one has enjoyed or the loss of self-esteem.

preferred death to life with dishonor

When is it sensible to use disrepute instead of infamy?

Although the words disrepute and infamy have much in common, disrepute stresses loss of one's good name or the acquiring of a bad reputation.

a once proud name fallen into disrepute

When would ignominy be a good substitute for infamy?

The words ignominy and infamy can be used in similar contexts, but ignominy stresses humiliation.

the ignominy of being arrested

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 infamy Rescuing this most forgettable of characters from the infamy of irrelevance, the BBC has announced a new Pride and Prejudice spin-off, based on the life of none other than plain Mary Bennet herself. —Ben Jureidini, Glamour, 10 Oct. 2024 And yet, there's one guest judge who lives in infamy in Visage's memory: Joel McHale, who playfully goaded Visage by shouting at the season 11 queens from his chair behind the judging table. —EW.com, 6 Mar. 2025 Till’s death hadn’t been a news story in decades—the Bryants were living in quiet infamy, while Milam had died a couple of years earlier. —Elon Green, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2025 Derek Chauvin grew in infamy for killing George Floyd in 2020, sparking the wave of Black Lives Matter protests all across America amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. —Armon Sadler, VIBE.com, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for infamy

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Cite this Entry

“Infamy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infamy. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on infamy

Nglish: Translation of infamy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about infamy

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