notoriety

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "notoriety" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe the state of being well-known, especially for something bad or negative. For example, "The politician gained notoriety for his controversial policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Arts

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Robinson insisted that Knox was hired on merit rather than notoriety.

The Guardian

Despite the notoriety of Cape Fear, Bergen only made four further features in the 60s, before a 20-year gap.

The Guardian - Film

The notoriety of Channel 4's documentary Benefits Street has left the show's producers facing an uphill task trying to persuade people to take part in a second series as well as a spin-off programme about immigration.

The Guardian

Here is someone who obviously wants the attention, but is not shown because the brief notoriety will only encourage others.

The Guardian - Opinion

Zawahiri will seek to leverage the notoriety to reinvigorate the militant franchise that has been marginalised by this year's Arab spring revolutions in the Middle East and weakened by the loss of Bin Laden, who is suspected by intelligence sources of having been in greater control of day-to-day operations than previously thought.

The Guardian

Allan is a Black Angel, the leader of a group he started six years ago, which has since attracted steady publicity, and a peculiar notoriety.

The Guardian

He was swiftly attracting notoriety with his explicit nude studies.

The Guardian - Arts

Despite steadily escalating its attacks in recent years, Boko Haram – whose name means "western education is forbidden" – achieved worldwide notoriety last April when it abducted the girls from their school in Borno state.

The Guardian

Jana Kramer gained notoriety as an actor on One Tree Hill, but she's been making inroads in country music for a few years now.

The Guardian - Music

In the modern era, the "plastination" of Gunther von Hagens, which makes of human corpses crafty if not arty objects, has attracted great notoriety.

The Guardian - Arts

The twins' enduring notoriety has helped to create a thriving market in Kray-related memorabilia.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "notoriety", ensure the context clearly indicates the negative or unfavorable reason for being known. It's stronger than simply being famous; it implies a problematic reputation.

Common error

Don't use "notoriety" when you mean simple fame or celebrity. "Notoriety" always carries a negative connotation. Use "fame" or "renown" instead if the context is positive or neutral.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "notoriety" is as a noun. It functions as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting the state of being known for negative reasons. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates an unfavorable or scandalous type of recognition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Arts

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "notoriety" signifies being widely known for negative or scandalous reasons, a concept distinct from mere fame. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it is essential to use "notoriety" when emphasizing an unfavorable reputation rather than simply describing general fame. Predominantly found in news and media, its purpose is to highlight negative recognition. Related phrases such as "infamy" or "ill repute" further emphasize the unfavorable connotation associated with "notoriety". Its proper use enhances clarity and precision in conveying negative aspects of reputation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ill repute

Focuses specifically on a bad reputation.

infamy

Emphasizes the state of being known for evil or wicked acts.

bad reputation

A straightforward way to describe a negative public image.

disrepute

Highlights the loss of respect or good reputation.

ill fame

Similar to "notoriety" but places greater emphasis on negative recognition.

dishonor

Implies a loss of honor and respect.

scandal

Refers to a specific event causing public outrage and damaging someone's reputation.

negative publicity

Focuses on the public attention received, but specifically of a negative nature.

being well-known for something negative

A descriptive phrase emphasizing the cause of recognition.

unfavorable attention

Highlights the kind of attention received.

FAQs

How is "notoriety" different from fame?

"Notoriety" implies being well-known for negative or scandalous reasons, while fame simply means being widely recognized. While fame can be positive, "notoriety" is always unfavorable.

What are some synonyms for "notoriety"?

Synonyms for "notoriety" include "infamy", "ill fame", and "disrepute". These words also suggest negative or scandalous recognition.

How can I use "notoriety" in a sentence?

You can use "notoriety" to describe someone who is famous for negative actions or characteristics. For example, "The gangster gained "notoriety" for his violent crimes."

Is it correct to say someone has "good notoriety"?

No, it is incorrect. "Notoriety" always carries a negative connotation. Use "fame" or "renown" instead for positive recognition.