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infamy

[ in-fuh-mee ]

noun

plural infamies
  1. extremely bad reputation, public reproach, or strong condemnation as the result of a shameful, criminal, or outrageous act:

    a time that will live in infamy.

    Synonyms: , , , ,

    Antonyms: ,

  2. infamous character or conduct.
  3. an infamous act or circumstance.
  4. Law. loss of rights, incurred by conviction of an infamous offense.


infamy

/ ˈɪ²Ô´ÚÉ™³¾Éª /

noun

  1. the state or condition of being infamous
  2. an infamous act or event
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of infamy1

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English infamye, from Latin ¾±²Ô´ÚÄå³¾¾±²¹, equivalent to ¾±²Ô´ÚÄå³¾(¾±²õ) “ill-famed†( in- in- 3 + ´ÚÄå³¾(²¹) fame + -is adjective suffix) + -ia -y 3
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of infamy1

C15: from Latin ¾±²Ô´ÚÄå³¾¾±²õ of evil repute, from in- 1+ ´ÚÄå³¾²¹ fame
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The memo is also notable for one of the names in it - James McCord, who would later gain infamy as one of the men who burgled the Watergate complex.

From

The entire film takes place on that date in 1972, at the Munich Olympics, a day that ought to live in infamy.

From

It first gained international infamy after a regime defector under the pseudonym of Caesar released tens of thousands of photos in 2014 of deceased prisoners tortured in its dungeons.

From

Whether the prime minister will find redemption or sink into BBG infamy remains to be seen.

From

“This election season is fraught; memories of Jan. 6 have not faded away, regardless of one’s view of that date’s fame or infamy,†he wrote.

From

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More About Infamy

What doesÌýinfamy mean?

Infamy is the state of having a bad or evil reputation—the state of being infamous.

The adjective infamous means having, deserving, or resulting in a bad or evil reputation. It’s typically used to describe people, actions, and events. It’s especially used in the context of violent crimes, scandals, and tragedies.

Infamous is also sometimes used in a more general way to describe things, such as behavior, as shocking, detestable, vile, heinous, or scandalous.

Infamy can mean infamous behavior, or it can mean the condemnation resulting from such behavior. Sometimes, it means about the same thing as shame or disgrace.

Infamy is often used interchangeably with the word notoriety, which is the state or quality of being notorious—famous or well-known for a negative reason. But while notoriety can be used in a more neutral way to mean about the same thing as fame, infamy is always used negatively and usually involves a bad reputation.

Example: Their heinous crimes will live in infamy.

Where doesÌýinfamy come from?

The first records of the word infamy come from the 1400s. It comes from the Latin ¾±²Ô´ÚÄå³¾(¾±²õ), meaning “ill-famed†or “of evil repute.†At the root of infamy is the Latin ´ÚÄå³¾²¹, which means “fame†and is also the basis of that word.

Infamy implies a sense of enduring fame—and not for something good. When a person is labeled as infamous, it usually means that they have done something (usually something very bad) to bring them infamy—an extremely bad reputation.

Perhaps the most famous use of the word is from President Franklin Roosevelt’s address following the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor naval base on December 7, 1941, which he called “a date which will live in infamy.â€

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What are some other forms related to infamy?

What are some synonyms for infamy?

What are some words that share a root or word element with infamy?Ìý

What are some words that often get used in discussing infamy?

How isÌýinfamy used in real life?

Infamy is always used negatively. It’s usually used in the context of crime or serious wrongdoing, unless it’s being used ironically.

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Try usingÌýinfamy!

Is infamy used correctly in the following sentence?

The author gained infamy for her extremely controversial novel.

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