infamous
Known for evil
Infamous would seem to be the opposite of famous, but in fact it means famous for the wrong reasons.
Someone who is infamous has a terrible reputation: The doctor was infamous for kissing and hugging his patients.
When something abstract is called infamous, it has a meaning similar to scandalous: the infamous case of the KBG traitor.
Extremely wicked or criminal
- nefariousExtremely evil or villainous
- heinousOdiously, shockingly evil
- diabolicalExtremely wicked or cruel
- dastardlyWicked and cowardly
fiendish · monstrous · notorious · evil · wicked · malevolent · sinister · depraved
Loss of respect
- ignominyState of dishonor
- disreputeDamaged public standing
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- humiliationLoss of dignity
discredit · tarnish · blot · blemish · reproach · opprobrium · contempt · degradation
Dishonest abuse of power
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- perjuryCriminal courtroom dishonesty
impeachment · resignation · indictment · conviction · trial · investigation · testimony · leak
Fame from misdeeds
- celebrityWidely recognized public figure
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
- headlineNews article title
- tabloidSensationalist newspaper format
paparazzi · publicity · media · coverage · sensational · controversial · buzz · newsworthy
villainous
Extremely wicked or criminal
- nefariousExtremely evil or villainous
- heinousOdiously, shockingly evil
- diabolicalExtremely wicked or cruel
dastardly · fiendish · monstrous · notorious · evil · wicked · malevolent · sinister · depraved · vile
dishonor
Loss of respect
humiliation · discredit · tarnish · blot · blemish · reproach · opprobrium · contempt · degradation · stigma
corruption
Dishonest abuse of power
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
perjury · impeachment · resignation · indictment · conviction · trial · investigation · testimony · leak · expose
notoriety
Fame from misdeeds
- celebrityWidely recognized public figure
- recognitionPerceiving something as known
- headlineNews article title
tabloid · paparazzi · publicity · media · coverage · sensational · controversial · buzz · newsworthy · high-profile
- famecelebrity, renown, famed, well-known, stardom
- outcastsoutcast, pariah, pariahs, outcasts, outlaws
- reputationreputation, reputable, bad reputation, repute, disreputable
- statusstatus, prestige, ranking, reputation, elite
- misused wordsliterally, irregardless, ironic, disinterested, nauseous
- awarenessalertness, aware, attention, cognizance, conscious
infamousillustrious
Widely admired for achievements
renowned · celebrated · distinguished · esteemed · prestigious
infamousreputable
Having a good name
respectable · honorable · dignified · creditable · upstanding
- infamous trialsWell-known legal proceedings