NOTORIOUS Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'notorious' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of notorious are celebrated , distinguished , eminent , famous , illustrious , noted , and renowned . While all these words mean "known far and wide," notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil. // a notorious gangster

Q: When is 'celebrated' a more appropriate choice than 'notorious'?

The meanings of celebrated and notorious largely overlap; however, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print. // the most celebrated beauty of her day

Q: When would 'distinguished' be a good substitute for 'notorious'?

The words distinguished and notorious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority. // a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

Q: In what contexts can 'eminent' take the place of 'notorious'?

In some situations, the words eminent and notorious are roughly equivalent. However, eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character. // the country's most eminent writers

Q: When could 'famous' be used to replace 'notorious'?

Although the words famous and notorious have much in common, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known. // a famous actress

Q: When can 'illustrious' be used instead of 'notorious'?

The synonyms illustrious and notorious are sometimes interchangeable, but illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person. // illustrious war heroes

Q: When is it sensible to use 'noted' instead of 'notorious'?

While the synonyms noted and notorious are close in meaning, noted suggests well-deserved public attention. // the noted mystery writer

Q: When might 'renowned' be a better fit than 'notorious'?

The words renowned and notorious can be used in similar contexts, but renowned implies more glory and acclamation. // one of the most renowned figures in sports history

notorious

adjective

nō-ˈtȯr-ē-əs

Definition of notorious

as in infamous

not respectable a notorious mastermind of terrorist activities

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in famous

widely known a book signing for a notorious author of tell-all celebrity biographies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word notorious different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of notorious are celebrated, distinguished, eminent, famous, illustrious, noted, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil.

a notorious gangster

When is celebrated a more appropriate choice than notorious?

The meanings of celebrated and notorious largely overlap; however, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When would distinguished be a good substitute for notorious?

The words distinguished and notorious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

In what contexts can eminent take the place of notorious?

In some situations, the words eminent and notorious are roughly equivalent. However, eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When could famous be used to replace notorious?

Although the words famous and notorious have much in common, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

When can illustrious be used instead of notorious?

The synonyms illustrious and notorious are sometimes interchangeable, but illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

When is it sensible to use noted instead of notorious?

While the synonyms noted and notorious are close in meaning, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

When might renowned be a better fit than notorious?

The words renowned and notorious can be used in similar contexts, but renowned implies more glory and acclamation.

one of the most renowned figures in sports history

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 notorious Works linked to notorious German forger Wolfgang Beltracchi have turned up in museum, corporate and gallery collections there. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 19 Aug. 2026 Silicone is also notorious for holding on to stains and smells, but that's a fundamental problem with the material, and not unique to these containers. — Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026 The heist has reminded many of Sicily’s most notorious art theft from more than half a century ago. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 17 Aug. 2026 While renowned for its red brick buildings and lush green lawns, UCLA’s campus is also notorious for its steep hills. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for notorious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for notorious

Adjective

Your guide will teach you about the origins of Prohibition and tell stories of infamous bootleggers.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Aug. 2026
Since that infamous year, homicide deaths, for the most part, have slowly decreased, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention WONDER data.

— Sofia Saric, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of infamous

Adjective

Celebrity has always been commercial, and famous people have always converted attention into money.

— Laura Jung, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
These waves destroyed a large section of the famous Santa Monica Pier and caused widespread coastal flooding in San Francisco Bay communities.

— Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of famous

Adjective

While this feature never got implemented, a Phia spokesperson told Bloomberg, Kianni was in support of the cookie stuffing practices, and encouraged team members to implement shady practices.

— Sarah Glodek, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026
Santa Margarita River Trail Looking for a shady spring or summertime hike?

— Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of shady

Adjective

The product was originally slated to launch in 2025, but brand founder and famed makeup artist Gucci Westman put the kibosh on that plan.

— Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026
The launch marks the first time the famed medical spa (also one of the world’s best) is bringing its renowned treatments to the sea.

— Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of famed

Adjective

Erdogan has called Netanyahu a war criminal and repeatedly accused Israel of atrocities in Gaza; Netanyahu has accused Erdogan of supporting Hamas.

— Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026
That’s a question usually put to criminal defendants and key players in a scandal, not the District Attorney’s office itself.

— Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of criminal

Adjective

From the late 1800s, a prominent Sicilian family controlled the tuna industry here with multiple factories and fisheries, thriving until the 1960s.

— Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026
These observations come from some of the most prominent people in the country.

— John Blake, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of prominent

Adjective

In it, Leó, a renowned geriatrician specialized in Alzheimer’s disease, develops an unconventional friendship with Ásdís, a psychiatrist who’s returned to Iceland to care for her ailing grandmother.

— Annika Pham, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
The recovery ended a search that began on July 31 after the expedition, led by renowned climber Nirmal Purja, was swept away by an avalanche on Broad Peak.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of renowned

Browse Nearby Words

notoriety

notorious

not to mention

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

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