Synonyms for Infamous
Updated · Synonyms List editorial team
Quick answer: Infamous describes someone known or remembered for a bad reason, specifically for shameful or wicked acts. While famous implies general recognition, infamous adds a heavy layer of negative judgment to the reputation of the individual or entity in question.
Closest Synonyms for Infamous
- Notorious
- Very well known for bad deeds, like a notorious thief hiding in the city.
- Disreputable
- Having an association with shameful behavior, making the person disreputable.
- Villainous
- Acting with extreme wickedness, showing a villainous nature in every action.
- Detested
- Hated by many people for cruel actions, becoming someone everyone detests.
- Shameful
- Causing deep embarrassment or disgrace, such as a shameful secret revealed.
- Blacklisted
- Formally excluded from groups due to a bad reputation, often getting blacklisted.
- Unpopular
- Not liked by the majority, often becoming unpopular due to poor decisions.
- Renowned
- Known widely, but sometimes renowned for terrible things like war crimes.
- Feared
- Respected only because of terror, becoming feared by everyone around them.
Formal Synonyms for Infamous
- Disgraceful
- Causing a loss of honor or respect, behaving in a disgraceful manner.
- Unhonorable
- Lacking moral standards, acting in ways that are unhonorable.
- Infamy
- The state of being well known for bad reasons, often associated with infamy.
- Reprobate
- A person of notoriously bad character, identified as a reprobate.
- Scapegoat
- Blamed unfairly for others mistakes, sometimes becoming a scapegoat.
- Unseemly
- Not appropriate or proper, displaying behavior that is unseemly.
Informal Synonyms for Infamous
- Shady
- Suspicious or dishonest, appearing shady in every interaction.
- Rotten
- Very bad or evil, acting like a rotten apple.
- Mean
- Unkind or cruel, known for being mean to others.
- Scummy
- Despicable and low quality, acting in a scummy way.
- Creepy
- Unsettling or causing fear, having a creepy vibe.
- Gross
- Offensive to the senses or morals, making others feel gross.
- Sleazy
- Dishonest or untrustworthy, dealing in sleazy business practices.
- Despicable
- Worthy of contempt, considered despicable by everyone.
- Unscrupulous
- Not having moral principles, acting unscrupulously for gain.
Stronger and Weaker Words
- famous
- weaker, neutral term for being well known
- well-known
- weaker, standard phrase for general recognition
- celebrated
- weaker, often used for positive fame but can be ironic
- notable
- weaker, indicates worth of mention but not necessarily bad
- known
- weaker, simple statement of awareness
- recognized
- weaker, implies identification by others
- established
- weaker, suggests being settled or confirmed in status
Antonyms for Infamous
- Honorable
- Respected
- Admired
- Praised
- Esteemed
- Revered
- Lauded
- Valued
How to Pick the Right Synonym
Choose a synonym based on the specific context of the story or article. If the subject is known for extreme evil, use words like villainous or detested. If the focus is simply on a bad reputation without extreme acts, notorious or disreputable works better. For informal writing, words like shady or scummy add a conversational tone. Always consider whether the audience will understand the nuance of the chosen word, as some terms are more formal than others.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between famous and infamous?
Famous means well-known for positive reasons, while infamous means well-known for negative reasons. Infamous always carries a strong sense of shame or wickedness, whereas famous can apply to anyone with a large public profile regardless of their actions.
Is notorious a synonym for infamous?
Yes, notorious is a very close synonym for infamous. Both words describe someone known for bad behavior, but notorious often implies that the person is widely recognized specifically because of their negative actions, while infamous can sometimes just mean having a bad reputation.
Can you use infamous for someone who is just unpopular?
No, infamous specifically refers to being known for bad or shameful acts. If someone is simply unpopular but not known for doing anything wrong, using infamous would be incorrect because it implies a moral failing that does not exist in their case.
What are some informal ways to say someone is infamous?
Informal ways to say someone is infamous include calling them shady, scummy, rotten, or mean. These words convey a sense of disapproval without using formal language, making them suitable for casual conversation or less serious writing contexts where you want to express dislike directly.
