infamous for

USAGE SUMMARY

'infamous for' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has become notorious or famous for a negative reason. For example: The small town was infamous for its high crime rate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The country is infamous for natural disasters.

The New York Times

Rats are infamous for passing diseases.

The Economist

The Taliban was infamous for stealing aid.

The New York Times

Northeastern skiing is infamous for its ice.

The New Yorker

The tram is infamous for cycling injuries.

The Guardian

He became infamous for shouting "Hail Trump!

The Guardian

Margiela is infamous for his anonymity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

OTB became a patronage ground and infamous for loose spending.

The New York Times

But Italy is infamous for its labyrinthine bureaucracy.

The New York Times - Food

But it is increasingly infamous for another reason.

Independent

Official documents and speeches are infamous for their empty blather.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "infamous for" when you want to highlight a widely known negative attribute or action associated with a person, place, or thing. It suggests a certain degree of notoriety and widespread recognition of the negative aspect.

Common error

Avoid using "infamous" when you mean "famous". "Infamous" specifically refers to negative recognition, while "famous" denotes positive or neutral recognition. Always consider the connotation you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "infamous for" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the noun is widely known or notorious for a specific negative quality or action. Ludwig AI confirms that it’s a valid English phrase. It serves to attribute a negative reputation to the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "infamous for" is a widely used and grammatically correct expression that as confirmed by Ludwig AI highlights a negative reputation or notoriety. As shown by Ludwig, it commonly appears in News & Media, encyclopedias, and formal settings. While similar to "famous for", it specifically denotes negative recognition. When using the phrase, be sure to consider the specific negative attribute you are associating with the subject, and be mindful of the connotation. Consider alternatives like "notorious for" or "ill-famed for" to fine-tune your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Notorious for

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes widespread knowledge of negative reputation. It is a more direct synonym.

Ill-famed for

A less common, more literary synonym emphasizing negative fame.

Deserves its poor reputation for

Indicates that the negative reputation is justified based on actions or qualities.

Disreputable for

Emphasizes a lack of respectability due to certain actions or qualities.

Scandalous for

Focuses specifically on notoriety arising from scandalous behavior or events.

Known for its bad reputation of

This alternative expands the idea, focusing on the reputation itself and its negative nature.

Acquired a bad name because of

Highlights the process of gaining a negative reputation over time.

Condemned for

Focuses on the act of being strongly disapproved of, often by a larger group.

Regarded negatively due to

A more formal and neutral way of expressing negative association.

Associated with

A more neutral way to point out a negative association, without explicitly stating infamy.

FAQs

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

Use "infamous for" to describe someone or something widely known for a negative trait or action. For instance, "The dictator was "infamous for" his brutal regime".

What are some alternatives to "infamous for"?

Alternatives include "notorious for", "ill-famed for", or "disreputable for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "infamous for" in formal writing?

Yes, "infamous for" is appropriate in formal writing when describing something that has a well-known negative reputation. Ensure the context clearly warrants the negative connotation.

What's the difference between "famous for" and "infamous for"?

"Famous for" indicates widespread recognition, which can be positive or neutral. "Infamous for" specifically means widely known for negative reasons, such as crimes or scandals.