NOTORIOUS Synonyms: 143 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

notorious

adjective

nō-ˈtȯr-ē-əs

Definition of notorious

as in infamous

not respectable a notorious mastermind of terrorist activities

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Related Stories The story follows Robbie, whose parents were murdered at the hands of notorious gangster Franz Müller in the 90s. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 28 Aug. 2026 The two suspects were reportedly hoping to be given entry into the notorious Aryan Brotherhood prison gang by carrying out the murders. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026 The ruthless, blue-eyed former communist officer turned nationalist warlord was one of the most notorious figures of the conflict that left more than 100,000 people dead and over 1 million homeless. — CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026 The album was such a notorious disappointment that even Bowie himself would later disown it. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for notorious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for notorious

Adjective

Broadway-loving teens will fall madly in love with this 2001 musical classic about the infamous French nightclub, its star performer Satine, and her poem-writing love Christian—Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor in two of their best roles.

— Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026
When the Obama Presidential Center opened in Chicago earlier this year, many people expected former President Obama’s infamous tan suit to be on display.

— August 29, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of infamous

Adjective

Travis This name is perfect for fans of the Super Bowl-winning tight end of the Kansas City Chiefs, Travis Kelce (or his famous girlfriend, Taylor Swift).

— Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
New York’s famous once clamored for co-ops, where tenants are shareholders with equity rather than individual owners of their apartments outright.

— Bridget Read, Curbed, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of famous

Adjective

But for now, CyberLeek is trying to monetize the GTA 6 leaks by asking for shady donations.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026
Others sat in shady spots on Montrose Avenue where the parade units combined with waiting community groups to end the parade at the festival grounds.

— Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of shady

Adjective

That’s significant because Ross is a descendant of John Ross (also July), the famed leader of the Cherokee Nation in 1835 who vehemently was against the Ridges’ position to leave their homeland.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026
The famed Big 5 (elephants, buffalos, leopards, rhinos, and lions) are all easily spotted in these lands, but the diverse habitats provide opportunities for different behavioral sightings, from feeding to bathing and mating.

— Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of famed

Adjective

Jacobs was formally charged Thursday with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property, stemming from the May 23 incident at his home near Green Bay.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
The bill brings state fireworks licensing requirements in line with federal ones by expanding the list of criminal convictions that make applicants ineligible for fireworks licenses.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of criminal

Adjective

As the world waits for new music from the superstar, who has not delivered an album in a decade, one of the singer’s most celebrated pieces of work reaches a special milestone.

— Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026
Bardem plays Miguel, a celebrated architect tempted by a morally dubious but hugely lucrative commission to build a secret survivalist bunker for a reclusive tech billionaire, Andrew (Paul Dano).

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of celebrated

Adjective

Among the prominent figures was Tobias Adrian, Director of the Monetary and Capital Markets Department at the International Monetary Fund.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The movement thereafter played a prominent role in protests across the United States and in other countries, particularly in the wake of the murders of Eric Garner in 2014 and George Floyd in 2020.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of prominent

Adjective

Greenspan was renowned for his formidable data-crunching capabilities, sharp reading of market psychology, and subtle, often elusive communication style.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
The collection, which translated her mental health battles into a universal visual language, became her largest and most renowned body of work.

— Livia Caligor, Architectural Digest, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of renowned

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notoriety

notorious

not to mention

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“Notorious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notorious. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of notorious

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