Dictionary
infamy
noun in·fa·my \-mē\
: the condition of being known for having done bad things or for being evil
: an evil or terrible act
plural in·fa·mies
Full Definition of INFAMY
1
: evil reputation brought about by something grossly criminal, shocking, or brutal
2
a : an extreme and publicly known criminal or evil act b : the state of being infamous
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First Known Use of INFAMY
15th century
Related to INFAMY
Synonym Discussion of INFAMY
disgrace, dishonor, disrepute, infamy, ignominy mean the state or condition of suffering loss of esteem and of enduring reproach. disgrace often implies humiliation and sometimes ostracism <sent home in disgrace>. dishonor emphasizes the loss of honor that one has enjoyed or the loss of self-esteem <preferred death to life with dishonor>. disrepute stresses loss of one's good name or the acquiring of a bad reputation <a once proud name fallen into disrepute>. infamy usually implies notoriety as well as exceeding shame <a day that lives in infamy>. ignominy stresses humiliation <the ignominy of being arrested>.
INFAMY Defined for Kids
infamy
noun in·fa·my \ˈin-fə-mē\
plural in·fa·mies
Definition of INFAMY for Kids
1
: an evil reputation <He earned infamy for his crimes.>
2
: an evil or terrible act <The people suffered the infamies of their ruler.>
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