infamous

[in-fuh-muhs] / ˈɪn fə məs /

ADJECTIVE

shameful, bad in reputation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

disgraceful egregious hateful heinous ignominious monstrous notorious outrageous scandalous shocking vicious vile

WEAK

abominable atrocious base contemptible corrupt degenerate despicable detestable dishonorable disreputable evil flagitious foul ill-famed iniquitous loathsome miscreant nefarious odious offensive opprobrious perverse questionable rotten scurvy shady sorry unhealthy villainous wicked

Antonyms

STRONGEST

friendly gentle good kind little magnificent nice pleasant wonderful

WEAK

dignified glorious innocent moral perfect principled pure respectable righteous virtuous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Rivas was the personal secretary for Chile's infamous secret police chief Manuel Contreras from 1973 to 1976.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Its cells held infamous criminals such as Al Capone, and several unsuccessful escape attempts captured public imagination.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

Before Putin confidant Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Wagner Group turned against Mr. Putin in their infamous mutiny of June 2023, Prigozhin took to Telegram to denounce Russia’s generals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

However, perhaps the most iconic element in the space is the infamous “rotating closet” that Hannah was regularly seen using in the series.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

The lawyer’s head went pop! however—his infamous temper exploding.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

Vocabulary lists containing infamous

The Bill of Rights

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"Beowulf," Vocabulary from the epic poem

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Grade 9, List 5

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