evil fame

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "evil fame" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reputation that is notorious or infamous, often associated with negative actions or characteristics. Example: "The villain's evil fame spread across the land, instilling fear in the hearts of the people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

David Frum of "Axis of Evil" fame — who is some kind of distant cousin of mine — has an excellent piece in New York explaining his apostasy from the modern GOP.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Evil, evil, evil.

TechCrunch

Here, the action is transferred to a weirdly Americanised island in the middle of the Atlantic which is overseen by the swinish Mayor Shelbourne (voiced by a very funny Bruce Campbell of Evil Dead fame in a welcome break from his cameos in the Spider-Man movies for old mucker Sam Raimi).

The Guardian - Film

Cintra Wilson, the thinking woman's David Foster Wallace, is well known for a treatise on the evils of fame-culture, "A Massive Swelling".

The New York Times - Books

Evil face".

The New Yorker

This play aims directly for movie buffs with its setting, a creepy motel ("Psycho"), an ominous figure in a mirror ("Repulsion") and an old motivation for evil, ambition for theater fame ("Rosemary's Baby").

The New York Times

"Now let's hope he's never heard of HAL9000, Skynet or Cylons," Kuipers wrote, referring to the iconic rogue computer and evil robots of science fiction fame.

Huffington Post

For rumour [the Greek pheme, via fama in Latin, gives us our word fame] is an evil thing; by nature she's a light weight to lift up, yes, but heavy to carry and hard to put down again.

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Frum also devotes considerable space to the phrase "axis of evil," his own main claim to fame.

The New York Times - Books

Some of us might have heard of the "Axis of Evil" comedy group which have found fame throughout the world.

Huffington Post

"Double Tour winner, Gino Bartali was given an even more momentous question than "dope or not" - "use your fame and unique position to resist evil at huge personal risk or not".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "evil fame", ensure the context clearly establishes the reason for the negativity. Be specific about the actions or attributes that contribute to this negative reputation.

Common error

Avoid using "evil fame" lightly. This phrase carries a strong negative connotation and is best reserved for situations involving significant moral or ethical transgressions. Consider using milder terms like "notoriety" or "infamy" if the context isn't severe.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "evil fame" is that of a noun phrase, where "evil" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "fame". This phrase describes a specific type of recognition or reputation, namely one that is associated with negative or immoral actions. As Ludwig AI pointed out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Evil fame" is a phrase used to describe a negative or infamous reputation, often associated with immoral or reprehensible actions. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct, although relatively uncommon. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While semantically potent, alternative phrases like "notorious reputation" or "infamy" are more commonly used. When using "evil fame", clarity in context is crucial to ensure the intended negative connotation is effectively conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notorious reputation

Replaces "evil" with "notorious", emphasizing widespread negative recognition.

infamous renown

Uses "infamous" and "renown" to highlight negative fame or notoriety.

ill-repute

A more formal term indicating a bad reputation.

scandalous fame

Focuses on fame arising from scandalous actions or events.

dishonorable recognition

Highlights the lack of honor associated with the fame.

tainted glory

Implies that the fame or glory is corrupted or morally compromised.

negative celebrity

Directly contrasts with positive celebrity, indicating unfavorable fame.

bad name

A simpler and more direct way to describe a negative reputation.

unwanted attention

Focuses on the unwelcome aspect of fame.

shameful distinction

Emphasizes the shame and disgrace associated with the recognition.

FAQs

What does "evil fame" mean?

"Evil fame" refers to a reputation that is known for negative or immoral actions. It signifies notoriety achieved through wrongdoing or association with malevolent acts.

How can I use "evil fame" in a sentence?

You might say, "The dictator's "notorious reputation" preceded him, spreading fear and resentment wherever he went."

What are some alternatives to "evil fame"?

Alternatives include "notorious reputation", "infamous renown", or "ill-repute", depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Is "evil fame" a common phrase?

The phrase "evil fame" is relatively uncommon. More frequent alternatives include phrases like "infamy" or "notoriety", which convey a similar meaning of negative recognition.