notoriety
Fame for wrongdoing
Notoriety is fame for something negative—a reputation based on scandal, crime, or bad behavior rather than achievement.
A criminal gains notoriety; a hero gains fame.
The word carries judgment: The case brought him unwanted notoriety.
Someone notorious is widely known, but not admirably so.
Sensationalist newspaper format
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- sensationalArousing intense excitement
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
- misconductImproper professional behavior
impropriety · indiscretion · exposé · cover-up · sleaze · allegation · whistleblower · leak
Loss of honor
- dishonorLoss of respect
- disreputeDamaged public standing
- ignominyState of dishonor
- shamePainful awareness of failure
stigma · discredit · opprobrium · vilification · defamation · scorn · odium · pariah
Public recognition, widespread
- infamousHaving a terrible reputation
- renownedWidely known and esteemed
- prominentEasily noticed or distinguished
- recognizedPerceived as familiar
well-known · public figure · visibility · spotlight · attention · buzz · name recognition · household name
Causing sharp division
- divisiveCausing sharp disagreement
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- disputedArgued over, unresolved
debated · inflammatory · incendiary · taboo · shocking · boundary-pushing · transgressive · rebel
tabloid
Sensationalist newspaper format
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- sensationalArousing intense excitement
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
misconduct · impropriety · indiscretion · exposé · cover-up · sleaze · allegation · whistleblower · leak · headline
disgrace
Loss of honor
shame · stigma · discredit · opprobrium · vilification · defamation · scorn · odium · pariah · outcast
fame
Public recognition, widespread
- infamousHaving a terrible reputation
- renownedWidely known and esteemed
- prominentEasily noticed or distinguished
recognized · well-known · public figure · visibility · spotlight · attention · buzz · name recognition · household name · profile
polarizing
Causing sharp division
- divisiveCausing sharp disagreement
- contentiousInclined toward disagreement
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
disputed · debated · inflammatory · incendiary · taboo · shocking · boundary-pushing · transgressive · rebel · iconoclast
gangster
Criminal organization member
fugitive · wanted · crime boss · kingpin · hitman · cartel · syndicate · racketeer · smuggler · manhunt
- publicitypublicity, PR, press conference, publicist, press release
- disgracedishonor, disgrace, downfall, stigma, scandal
- famefame, famous, celebrity, renown, famed
- Fame & Gloryglory, renown, acclaim, celebrity, prestige
- reputationreputation, reputable, bad reputation, repute, disreputable
- scandalscandal, infamy, disgrace, coverup, cover-up
notorietyobscurity
State of being unknown
anonymity · invisibility · oblivion · namelessness · facelessness
notorietyrespectability
Moral and social worthiness
decency · virtue · integrity · honor · uprightness
note, notice, notion, notable, notify, notorious, notification, notation, notoriously