Infamy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Infamy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the state of being well known for some bad quality or deed. Example: "The politician's infamy grew after the scandal was revealed, leading to widespread public outrage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One man who knew many of them is Simon Mann, an old Etonian former SAS officer who achieved infamy in 2004 with a bungled coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea.

The Guardian

Sit at a desk, roll out a barrage of horrific personal insults and grow in infamy with every tirade of boos you receive.

The Guardian - Music

In any case, he says this is about football, not infamy.

The Guardian - Sport

The mass abduction last April propelled the sect into global infamy, as the missing students became an international symbol of Boko Haram's escalating war against lay education.

The Guardian

The BBC would have shown more pride in its entry if it had announced it on Teletext, or via a series of cryptic classified ads like serial killers do when they start to get an inflated sense of their own infamy.

The Guardian - Opinion

What did they feel?" Three months after Abiola's project began, Boko Haram was propelled into global infamy when it kidnapped the schoolgirls.

The Guardian

Karl is the millionaire son, chairman and wind-up merchant who has brought the club to its knees and appears to be soaking in the infamy.

The Guardian - Sport

Maybe it wouldn't work, and mass killers would nevertheless go on to achieve through their evil work the glory of infamy.

The Economist

And Ray Nash, a former sheriff, told the crowd that "every time Congress passes a new law one of your freedoms is taken away".The only sign of Mr Sanford was a pile of flyers: his fame (or infamy) means he need not work so hard to introduce himself to the district's voters.

The Economist

To spare Yambuku from infamy, they named the infection after a local river, the Ebola.The next 36 years saw about 20 Ebola epidemics.

The Economist

Nevertheless, the budget strategy remains a gamble on the government meeting its 2014 budget targets as well as an export-led recovery.The day three years ago when a Fianna Fail-led coalition was forced to ask for an international bail-out was regarded as Ireland's day of infamy.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "infamy" to describe historical events, figures, or actions that are remembered for their particularly evil or shocking nature.

Common error

Avoid using "infamy" to describe situations that are merely controversial or unpopular. "Infamy" denotes a profound and lasting negative reputation, not just temporary disagreement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "infamy" is as a noun, referring to the state of being known for extremely bad reputation or deeds. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "infamy" acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a condition or quality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

28%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "infamy" is a noun used to denote a state of extreme ill repute. Ludwig AI analysis of numerous examples from authoritative sources confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage in news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While the term is correct and usable in written English, it should be reserved for situations involving significant and lasting negative notoriety. Using "infamy" correctly can powerfully convey disapproval and condemnation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Notoriety

Emphasizes the state of being famous or well-known, often for negative reasons, similar to "infamy" but sometimes less intense.

Disrepute

Focuses on the loss or lack of a good reputation, suggesting dishonor or disgrace.

Dishonor

Highlights the shame or disgrace associated with a particular action or status.

Ill repute

A more formal way of saying 'bad reputation'.

Odium

Conveys strong dislike, contempt, or aversion, often directed at someone or something.

Opprobrium

Focuses on the public disgrace arising from shameful conduct.

Ignominy

Emphasizes deep personal shame and humiliation, often publicly experienced.

Scandal

Highlights a situation bringing about disgrace or outrage.

Shame

Refers to the painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behavior.

Disgrace

Indicates a loss of reputation or respect as the result of a dishonorable action.

FAQs

How is "infamy" typically used in a sentence?

"Infamy" is used to describe a state of being known for something negative or evil. For example, "The dictator's name will live in "infamy" for his brutal actions".

What are some alternatives to using the word "infamy"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "notoriety", "disgrace", or "dishonor" as alternatives to "infamy".

Is it correct to say someone achieved "infamy"?

Yes, it is correct. Achieving "infamy" means becoming well-known for negative or dishonorable reasons.

What's the difference between "infamy" and "fame"?

"Fame" refers to being widely known or celebrated, usually for positive achievements. "Infamy", on the other hand, means being widely known for negative or evil actions or qualities. They are essentially opposites.