made him notorious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made him notorious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or event that caused someone to become widely known, often for negative reasons. Example: "The scandal involving the politician made him notorious across the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

His antiwar speeches made him notorious and the target of much criticism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But it was Noyes's ideas concerning sexual union that made him notorious.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But survival is easier in Beijing than in gentrified SoHo, where he used to live, and while his stint behind bars made him notorious, his creativity was suffocating.

The New York Times - Arts

Here is Charles Darwin, portrayed by Julia Margaret Cameron in 1868, nearly a decade after the publication of On the Origin of Species made him notorious.

The Guardian - Arts

Alexander McQueen combines a gift for flamboyant presentation, expert tailoring and a skinhead bad-boy reputation that has made him notorious in his native London.

The New York Times - Magazine

DiLeo's well-documented reliance on "independent record promoters", examined in minute detail in Fredric Dannen's Hit Men: Power Brokers and Fast Money Inside the Music Business (1990), made him notorious throughout the industry.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

He didn't show up at school in the sort of clothing and haircut that would make him notorious.

The New Yorker

By the time of its publication in 1938, her husband's views on Nazi Germany were making him notorious, and some Jewish booksellers refused to carry the new volume.

The New York Times - Magazine

The remark made him a notorious hate figure in the pages of the tabloids.

The Guardian

When he was a boy, his resentment of boundaries had made him a notorious rebel and a headache for his parents, his teachers, and the police.

The New Yorker

While such testimony on disease and addiction made him a notorious figure among antismoking advocates, Mr. Spears was widely praised as a outstanding civic leader in his hometown.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "made him notorious" when you want to emphasize that a specific action or event directly led to someone's negative fame or infamy. This phrase is effective for highlighting cause-and-effect relationships in historical accounts, biographies, or news reports.

Common error

Avoid using "made him notorious" in informal or casual settings where a simpler, less dramatic phrase would suffice. Overusing this phrase can sound overly formal or exaggerated in everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made him notorious" functions as a causative expression, indicating that a particular action or event resulted in someone acquiring a negative reputation. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showcasing its common appearance in contexts where negative consequences are being highlighted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "made him notorious" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies how someone's actions or characteristics led to a negative reputation. As Ludwig AI analysis suggests, its primary function is to highlight the cause-and-effect relationship between an event and the resulting notoriety. Found mostly in news and encyclopedic contexts, it maintains a neutral register and is best employed when emphasizing the direct impact of actions on someone's public image. Remember to avoid overuse in casual contexts to prevent sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rendered him infamous

Uses "infamous" instead of "notorious", emphasizing the negative aspect of fame.

turned him into a pariah

Highlights the social exclusion resulting from his notoriety.

gained him ill fame

Replaces "notorious" with "ill fame", focusing on the negative reputation.

brought him into disrepute

Emphasizes the loss of respect and honor due to his actions.

branded him an outcast

Similar to "pariah", but emphasizes the act of being labeled as an undesirable.

earned him a bad reputation

A more general term for acquiring a negative public image.

caused his notoriety

Focuses on the causal relationship between an action and the resulting notoriety.

led to his infamy

Similar to 'caused his notoriety' but using 'infamy'.

resulted in his disgrace

Highlights the shame and dishonor that followed his actions.

established his notoriety

Highlights the establishment of the state of being notorious.

FAQs

What does "made him notorious" mean?

The phrase "made him notorious" means that a person's actions or characteristics caused them to become widely and unfavorably known. It implies a negative reputation resulting from specific events.

Which is more appropriate: "made him notorious" or "made him famous"?

"Made him notorious" is appropriate when the person became known for negative reasons. Use "made him famous" when the person became known for positive or neutral reasons.

Are there synonyms for "made him notorious"?

Yes, synonyms include "rendered him infamous", "gained him ill fame", or "brought him into disrepute". These phrases all convey the idea of someone becoming widely known in a negative way.

How can I use "made him notorious" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an event or action that caused someone to gain a negative reputation. For example, "His involvement in the scandal made him notorious."