infamy

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "infamy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the state or condition of having a bad reputation or being held in disfavor. For example, "The country fell into infamy after a series of corrupt government scandals."

✓ 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" when you want to emphasize the state of being known for extremely negative or evil acts. It's stronger than simply having a bad reputation.

Common error

Avoid using "infamy" when "fame" is more appropriate. "Infamy" specifically denotes negative notoriety, while "fame" can be positive or neutral. Ensure the context involves disgrace or evil deeds.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "infamy" is as a noun. It denotes the state or condition of being known for something evil or bad. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes a negative reputation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "infamy" denotes the state of being known for negative or evil actions, as verified by Ludwig AI. It's a noun used to express strong disapproval and is frequently found in news and encyclopedic contexts. While grammatically correct, it's important to distinguish "infamy" from "fame", which can have positive or neutral connotations. Using alternatives like "notoriety" or "disrepute" can add nuance, but ensure the negative context is always clear. Employ "infamy" when the situation warrants a strong condemnation of disgraceful behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notoriety

Focuses on being widely known, often for negative reasons.

disrepute

Highlights the loss of respect or good reputation.

ill repute

Emphasizes a bad reputation or negative standing.

dishonor

Implies a loss of honor or integrity.

opprobrium

Stresses public disgrace or condemnation.

ignominy

Highlights deep disgrace or shame.

scandal

Refers to an event that brings about disgrace or outrage.

bad reputation

A more general term for having a negative public image.

negative renown

Specifically indicates being known for something negative.

evil fame

Focuses on being famously evil or wicked.

FAQs

How is "infamy" typically used in a sentence?

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

What are some words similar in meaning to "infamy"?

Alternatives to "infamy" include "notoriety", "disrepute", and "opprobrium". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone achieved "infamy"?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to say someone achieved "infamy". It means they became well-known for negative or disgraceful reasons.

What is the difference between "infamy" and "fame"?

"Infamy" refers to being known for negative reasons, while "fame" is simply being widely known, which can be for positive, neutral, or even negative reasons. They are near opposites in meaning.