notorious
Use the adjective notorious to describe people, places, or things that are famous for a bad reason.
A good synonym for notorious is infamous; both words mean "well-known, and not in a good way." A celebrity convicted of a series of crimes might be referred to as notorious, as might a book that has been banned in several countries. The word originally meant just "famous" and could carry either positive or negative connotations. Only in recent centuries did the negative uses start to outweigh the positive ones. In general, you'd rather be famous than notorious — unless you're looking to build a bad reputation.
-
known widely and usually unfavorably“a notorious gangster”“the tenderloin district was notorious for vice”disreputablelacking respectability in character or behavior or appearance
- MLA
- APA
- Chicago
Vocabulary lists containing notorious
Learn these essential words that you'll encounter in literature, textbooks, class discussions, and more.
Whether you're hoping to improve your comprehension of reading assignments or simply looking to increase your word knowledge, our lists of essential, high-frequency words will put you on the path to vocabulary success. Here are links to our lists for the collection: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5, List 6, List 7, List 8, List 9, List 10
Looking for the right words to describe the villain in your latest short story? Searching for more colorful language to characterize your worst enemy? Then master these terms for petty, patronizing, and peevish people.