Synonyms of infamy

infamy

noun

ˈin-fə-mē 

as in disgrace

the state of having lost the esteem of others

despite her eventual pardons, she could never completely free herself of the infamy of being named a war criminal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• disgrace
• shame
• ignominy
• humiliation
• contempt
• disrepute
• odium
• dishonor
• opprobrium
• obloquy
• stigma
• disdain
• discredit
• reproach
• scandal
• disesteem
• disapproval
• taint
• scorn
• stain
• degradation
• disapprobation
• despite
• dust
• abasement
• debasement
• blot
• brand
• deprecation
• disfavor
• slur
• debasing
• shadow
• smirch
• spot
• humbling

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• respect
• honor
• esteem
• regard
• admiration
• fear
• appreciation
• estimation
• fame
• glory
• reverence
• awe
• renown
• repute

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun infamy differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of infamy are disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, and ignominy. While all these words mean "the state or condition of suffering loss of esteem and of enduring reproach," infamy usually implies notoriety as well as exceeding shame.

a day that lives in infamy

When can disgrace be used instead of infamy?

The words disgrace and infamy are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disgrace often implies humiliation and sometimes ostracism.

sent home in disgrace

In what contexts can dishonor take the place of infamy?

In some situations, the words dishonor and infamy are roughly equivalent. However, dishonor emphasizes the loss of honor that one has enjoyed or the loss of self-esteem.

preferred death to life with dishonor

When is it sensible to use disrepute instead of infamy?

Although the words disrepute and infamy have much in common, disrepute stresses loss of one's good name or the acquiring of a bad reputation.

a once proud name fallen into disrepute

When would ignominy be a good substitute for infamy?

The words ignominy and infamy can be used in similar contexts, but ignominy stresses humiliation.

the ignominy of being arrested

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of infamy

Further Reading The last reactor at Three Mile Island is shutting down Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island plant rose to infamy in 1979 when a partial meltdown in Unit 2 helped ignite panic over nuclear safety across the country. —Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, 20 Sep. 2024

The Sox reached the pinnacle of baseball infamy with record-breaking loss No. 121 on Friday, falling 4-1 to the Tigers in front of a sellout crowd of 44,435 at Comerica Park in Detroit. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 29 Sep. 2024

In comparison, Reinsdorf’s combination of on-field futility and off-field coolness to the Chicago media has assured him a spot in the annals of infamy. —Nick Hirshon, The Conversation, 28 Sep. 2024

John Fisher, managing partner and board member of the Athletics, will reign in infamy as another professional sports franchise owner who became infatuated with the temptations of Las Vegas instead of preserving a cherished community asset. —Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024