notorious

adjective

nō-ˈtȯr-ē-əs How to pronounce notorious (audio)
Definition of notoriousnext
1
as in infamous
not respectable a notorious mastermind of terrorist activities

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in famous
widely known a book signing for a notorious author of tell-all celebrity biographies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word notorious different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of notorious are celebrated, distinguished, eminent, famous, illustrious, noted, and renowned. While all these words mean "known far and wide," notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil.

a notorious gangster

When is celebrated a more appropriate choice than notorious?

The meanings of celebrated and notorious largely overlap; however, celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.

the most celebrated beauty of her day

When would distinguished be a good substitute for notorious?

The words distinguished and notorious are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.

a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize

In what contexts can eminent take the place of notorious?

In some situations, the words eminent and notorious are roughly equivalent. However, eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.

the country's most eminent writers

When could famous be used to replace notorious?

Although the words famous and notorious have much in common, famous implies little more than the fact of being, sometimes briefly, widely and popularly known.

a famous actress

When can illustrious be used instead of notorious?

The synonyms illustrious and notorious are sometimes interchangeable, but illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.

illustrious war heroes

When is it sensible to use noted instead of notorious?

While the synonyms noted and notorious are close in meaning, noted suggests well-deserved public attention.

the noted mystery writer

When might renowned be a better fit than notorious?

The words renowned and notorious can be used in similar contexts, but renowned implies more glory and acclamation.

one of the most renowned figures in sports history

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of notorious Fox News reported that police in Everett, Massachusetts, say Hernandez was involved in a shooting between gang members from 18th Street and the notorious crime syndicate MS-13. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 May 2025 The Trump administration has already sent more than 200 Venezuelans to El Salvador, where they are being detained at its notorious prison, the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 27 May 2025 Oasis is connected to Lee and Jay Podolsky, members of a family of notorious landlords in New York City, the Sun Sentinel previously reported. —Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 27 May 2025 Alongside his time on the golf course, Shirley also wrote spy manuals for the apartheid government’s notorious intelligence agency, B.O.S.S. —Time, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for notorious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for notorious
  1. infamous
  2. famous
  3. shady
  4. famed
  5. criminal
  6. celebrated
  7. prominent
  8. renowned
Adjective
  • Trending Stories On Wednesday morning, a forensic video expert told jurors that the infamous hotel surveillance video showing Combs slamming Ventura to the ground and kicking and dragging her in the hallway of the InterContinental Hotel in 2016 was not manually doctored.
    — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2025
  • Some military commentators compared it to another infamous Sunday surprise—Japan's 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.
    — Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025
Definition of infamous
Adjective
  • For the last 26 years, the world’s most famous arena has been hollow in June.
    — James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • The show is meant to resemble the actual speaking engagements Twain did after he had become established as one of the world’s most famous and popular authors in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 30 May 2025
Definition of famous
Adjective
  • Patti LuPone had a shady reaction to questions about Audra McDonald in a new interview.
    — Joey Nolfi Published, EW.com, 27 May 2025
  • Simple Deluxe 9-foot Patio Umbrella and 50-pound Base Add a shady spot to your sunny patio space with this nine-foot umbrella that comes with a base that can be filled with up to 50 pounds of sand or water.
    — Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2025
Definition of shady
Adjective
  • The famed Michelin Red Guide is coming to Philadelphia, and inspectors are already scouting local restaurants to award the famed Michelin star.
    — Tulasi Srinivas, The Conversation, 3 June 2025
  • Sugar Mill Tucked into the mountainside that starts just meters from the sand, Half Moon's famed Sugar Mill is one of the most celebrated restaurants in the Caribbean.
    — Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2025
Definition of famed
Adjective
  • Murrill’s office also invoked the habitual offenders statute, where criminal defendants can be tagged as habitual offenders after a fourth felony charge, according to Louisiana law, and face longer prison sentences.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
  • Following his release from prison, Kerik was a vocal critic of the criminal justice system and a staunch ally of Trump.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten , Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2025
Definition of criminal
Adjective
  • This year, fourteen of the world's best flamenco companies will perform on stages throughout Albuquerque for what is called the most celebrated flamenco festival outside of Spain.
    — John Burnett, NPR, 7 June 2025
  • Pacino’s The Ritual — which opened in theaters on Friday — has critics not raving, but ripping the celebrated actor’s exorcism film.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 7 June 2025
Definition of celebrated
Adjective
  • His script may go over the top, and a generally adept cast (which also includes prominent parts for Sinbad, Rockmond Dunbar, Shalet Monique and others) copes variably with its excesses.
    — Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 June 2025
  • The two prominent Idaho families joined when Andrus’s youngest daughter, Kelly, married Church’s son Chase in 1989.
    — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 6 June 2025
Definition of prominent
Adjective
  • While working at a renowned medical device and drug company, Don became part of early efforts involving angiostatin, a compound that briefly made headlines in the 1990s for its potential to inhibit blood vessels feeding tumors.
    — Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • Brian Newman, renowned trumpeter and bandleader for Lady Gaga's jazz projects, always wanted to be a musician.
    — Marina Watts, People.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of renowned

Browse Nearby Words

notoriety
notorious
not to mention
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Cite this Entry

“Notorious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notorious. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of notorious for Spanish Speakers

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