infamy
Enduring public dishonor
Infamy is extreme notoriety or disgrace—fame for something terrible.
A date that will live in infamy is remembered for catastrophe.
An infamous person is widely known for wrongdoing or evil acts.
The word carries moral weight: infamy isn't just being unknown or disliked, but being remembered with revulsion.
State of dishonor
- disreputeDamaged public standing
- dishonorLoss of respect
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- opprobriumSevere public disapproval
shame · humiliation · degradation · discredit · tarnish · reproach · odium · contempt
Dishonest abuse of power
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- exposéInvestigative journalism piece
allegation · indictment · impeachment · resignation · conviction · downfall · disgrace · affair
Wicked story antagonist
- tyrantCruel, absolute ruler
- despotRuler with absolute power
- dictatorRuler with total control
- traitorOne who betrays allegiance
war criminal · atrocity · genocide · massacre · treachery · betrayal · treason · corruption
Famous for negativity
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- sensationalArousing intense excitement
- tabloidSensationalist newspaper format
- headlineNews article title
exposé · publicized · name recognition · celebrity · renown · prominence · whispered · legendary
ignominy
State of dishonor
opprobrium · shame · humiliation · degradation · discredit · tarnish · reproach · odium · contempt · abasement
corruption
Dishonest abuse of power
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- cover-upHiding wrongdoing from public
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
exposé · allegation · indictment · impeachment · resignation · conviction · downfall · disgrace · affair · controversy
villain
Wicked story antagonist
traitor · war criminal · atrocity · genocide · massacre · treachery · betrayal · treason · corruption · cruelty
notorious
Famous for negativity
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- sensationalArousing intense excitement
- tabloidSensationalist newspaper format
headline · exposé · publicized · name recognition · celebrity · renown · prominence · whispered · legendary · storied
Benedict Arnold
American defector to Britain
assassin · regicide · usurper · blackguard · scoundrel · rogue · pirate · outlaw · brigand · plunderer
- publicitypublicity, PR, press conference, publicist, press release
- disgracedishonor, disgrace, downfall, stigma, scandal
- famecelebrity, renown, well-known, stardom, renowned
- outcastsoutcast, pariah, pariahs, outcasts, outlaws
- reputationreputation, reputable, bad reputation, repute, disreputable
- scandalscandal, disgrace, coverup, cover-up, affair
infamyvirtue
Moral goodness or merit
righteousness · goodness · nobility · innocence · saintliness
infamyobscurity
State of being unknown
anonymity · insignificance · namelessness · inconspicuousness · invisibility
- day of infamyDate demanding war declaration
- infamous trialsWell-known legal proceedings