infamous deed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "infamous deed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a widely known action that is considered morally wrong or disgraceful. Example: "The infamous deed of the dictator left a lasting scar on the nation's history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Oh yes, I'm hoping so much that, realizing the price such an infamous deed would cost them, the masters of Tehran will, for once, come around to the voice of understandable interests and, thus to the voice of wisdom.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is often said that a story, like a crime, is in the details, and Starr, whose previous book was called "Blood," is certainly not one to hold back in delivering the gruesome facts of Vacher's infamous deeds.

The New York Times - Books

Potter fans know Umbridge for her many infamous deeds: these include sacking teachers she believed incompetent or offended her own beliefs, such as Hagrid, and orchestrating the Dementor attack on Harry and Dudley at Magnolia Crescent.

Independent

#Lastly, Hitler maintains that the Reich begat Israel and suggests that he is the Messiah "whose infamous deeds were allowed by God in order to bring His people home".

Wikipedia

As a revolutionary prosecutor and the head of Tehran's infamous Evin prison, he stood accused of terrible deeds.

The Economist

In a post last week about the Clinton Foundation, which followed the revelation in the Guardian that some of its individual donors had maintained bank accounts at HSBC's now infamous Geneva branch, I pointed out that it does a lot of good deeds and employs many well-meaning professionals.

The New Yorker

I remember being a little boy and doing some dastardly deeds, returning later and saying "I'm sorry" and being told those infamous words, "Sometimes sorry doesn't cut it".

Huffington Post

Much like the mortgage robo-signing had its infamous signers - Linda Green probably being the most well-known, made famous by Massachusetts Registry of Deeds John O'Brien, the card companies have their own in-house forgers.

Huffington Post

His answer was infamous.

Independent

Now he is infamous.

The New York Times - Books

Why infamous?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "infamous deed", ensure the context clearly establishes why the deed is widely known and regarded negatively. Provide specific details or examples to support the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "infamous deed" casually. Ensure the act genuinely warrants the description. Overusing the term can dilute its impact and weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "infamous deed" functions as a noun phrase, where "infamous" modifies the noun "deed". It describes a specific action that is widely known for its negative or evil nature. Ludwig AI confirms the usage of this phrase in multiple contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "infamous deed" is a noun phrase used to describe an action that is widely known and negatively regarded. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears most frequently in news and media contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the deed in question genuinely warrants such a strong description. Alternatives like "notorious act" or "shameful action" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Avoid overuse to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notorious act

Replaces "deed" with "act", emphasizing a single event known widely and unfavorably.

heinous crime

Substitutes "deed" with "crime", adding the element of illegality and a stronger sense of moral outrage.

flagrant misdeed

Uses "misdeed" to soften the gravity, while "flagrant" highlights the offensiveness.

scandalous action

Replaces "deed" with "action", focusing on the public outrage and shock caused by the act.

shameful act

Emphasizes the feeling of disgrace and dishonor associated with the action.

disgraceful behavior

Shifts the focus to the conduct of the person committing the act, highlighting its unacceptability.

reprehensible conduct

Emphasizes the moral condemnation of the behavior.

unspeakable act

Highlights the horror and difficulty in describing the deed, emphasizing its severe nature.

atrocious act

Uses "atrocious" to convey the extreme cruelty or wickedness of the act.

egregious transgression

Implies a violation of rules or moral boundaries that is conspicuously bad or offensive.

FAQs

How can I use "infamous deed" in a sentence?

You can use "infamous deed" to describe an action that is widely known for being bad or evil. For example: "The dictator's "infamous deed" of ordering the massacre of innocent civilians will forever be remembered".

What is a more formal alternative to "infamous deed"?

A more formal alternative could be "egregious transgression" or "notorious act", depending on the specific context and the nature of the deed.

What's the difference between "infamous deed" and "terrible deed"?

"Terrible deed" simply means a bad act, whereas ""infamous deed"" implies that the act is widely known and remembered for its negative qualities. The former focuses on the act's impact, the latter on its public perception.

Is "infamous deed" subjective?

While the assessment of a "deed" can be subjective, calling it an ""infamous deed"" suggests a widely held negative view. If the negativity is not generally accepted, using "controversial deed" might be more appropriate.