Definitions

infamous

[in-fuh-muhs] / ˈɪn fə məs /

ADJECTIVE

shameful, bad in reputation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

disgraceful egregious hateful heinous ignominious monstrous notorious outrageous scandalous shocking vicious vile

WEAK

abominable atrocious base contemptible corrupt degenerate despicable detestable dishonorable disreputable evil flagitious foul ill-famed iniquitous loathsome miscreant nefarious odious offensive opprobrious perverse questionable rotten scurvy shady sorry unhealthy villainous wicked

Antonyms

STRONGEST

friendly gentle good kind little magnificent nice pleasant wonderful

WEAK

dignified glorious innocent moral perfect principled pure respectable righteous virtuous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Eastwood plays the spoon-wielding lead in this thrilling jailbreak saga based on the infamous real-life escape from the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in 1962.

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026

The first was the infamous 'Hand of God' moment.

From BBC • Jun. 11, 2026

It appears the nearly 80-year-old president confused the infamous Prohibition agent with Kevin Costner’s portrayal of Ness in the 1987 film “The Untouchables.”

From Salon • Jun. 5, 2026

Mr. Platner has said his now infamous chest tattoo was a drunken mistake and that he didn’t realize the symbol was associated with Nazis.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

The leader of the Dalton Gang, an infamous nineteenth-century band of outlaws, once served as the main lawman on the Osage reservation.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Vocabulary lists containing infamous

The Bill of Rights

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"Beowulf," Vocabulary from the epic poem

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Grade 9, List 5

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