Meaning & use
infamous
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Meaning
adjectivecomparable
Well known for something bad, such as a cruel act, a serious failure, or repeated dishonesty.
Grammar: Can stand before a noun or after a linking verb, but it is never neutral like famous.
Patterns
- infamous for something
- an infamous person or event
- become infamous
The bridge project became infamous for delays and cost overruns.
An infamous error in the report was repeated for years.
The restaurant is infamous for rude service.
Common combinations
- infamous for
- The company is infamous for canceling orders without warning.
- an infamous mistake
- One infamous mistake cost the team the championship.
- infamous trial
- The infamous trial changed how the law handled evidence.
- become infamous
- The password flaw quickly became infamous online.
Synonyms and how they differ
- notorious
- Very close, but often emphasizes being widely known for one specific bad thing.
- disreputable
- Suggests a bad public reputation, without always implying wide fame.
- scandalous
- Focuses on shocking public behavior rather than lasting fame.
- ignominious
- More formal or literary, emphasizing shame and loss of honor.
Opposites
Word family
- infamy noun
- The state of being infamous; shameful notoriety.
- infamously adverb
- In a way that is widely known, sometimes for a bad reason.
Commonly confused: infamous or famous?
infamous vs famous
Famous means widely known and can be positive, neutral, or negative; infamous is specifically bad.
Practice
Choose the best word: The scheme became ______ for taking money from elderly customers.
Choose one answer.
Infamous means well known for something bad, which fits taking money from customers. Famous can be positive or neutral, so it lacks the required negative judgment.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “infamous”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.