infamy

noun

ˈin-fə-mē How to pronounce infamy (audio)
Definition of infamynext
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

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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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of infamy After serving seven years, Fisher was released and used her infamy to enter the world of adult entertainment. — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026 The rodent may be apprehended, but its exploits will live on infamy. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 9 July 2026 The own-goal came when Aiden O’Neill took a free kick from left of the penalty area and Hany headed the ball past goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir for a spot in World Cup infamy. — ABC News, 3 July 2026 So, Tom Steyer, welcome to the hall of infamy of filthy-rich flops. — Garry South, Mercury News, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for infamy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for infamy
  1. disgrace
  2. shame
Noun
  • When Spiro Agnew resigned in disgrace over tax evasion, Kennerly was tapped to photograph one of his potential replacements as vice president, Gerald Ford.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Until Graham Platner’s Maine Senate campaign exploded in disgrace, Platner was routinely cast as a son of privilege playing Carhartt dress-up.
    — Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of disgrace
Noun
  • Meizlish told the Washington Examiner that prior attempts to shame countries doing business with Iran, including China, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, had fallen flat.
    — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026
  • And that's a shame, because the US could arguably use more cars like this, not fewer.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of shame

Browse Nearby Words

infamous
infamy
infancies
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Cite this Entry

“Infamy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/infamy. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on infamy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about infamy

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