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 Confronting the Nixon administration, the activists held the notorious former prison for 19 months, igniting a movement — America’s greatest civil rights story never told. — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 29 Sep. 2026 Theron won the Best Actress Oscar for her turn as the notorious murderer. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 2026 Matt Hepp, an engineer and a climber who volunteers with Ouray Mountain Rescue, created a reference map that notes mile markers and some of the most notorious sections. — Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026 Andy Reid is notorious for not saying much at the podium and the team only provides a very brief look at practice to the media. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for notorious

Recent Examples of Synonyms for notorious

Adjective

Much of the discourse surrounds Kazan’s creative choice in how to portray the book’s infamous antagonist, Cathy Ames, in Netflix’s seven-episode limited series out Thursday.

— Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
That said, even in a sport now infamous for quick cash grabs, this feels like the most blatant of them all.

— Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of infamous

Adjective

The Wat Po Deluxe rooms, which face away from the river, actually give you a very striking, colorful view of tropical plants and the intricate, tiled chedis of this famous temple complex.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
The famous colleagues who’ve shown up for the open bar and Louis gift bags don’t add much.

— Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of famous

Adjective

The extensive wellness area is built into the rocks with a series of open-air mezzanines, treatment rooms, shady sea-viewing spots and plunge pools.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Aside from Anderson, Paz and Méndez have moments of raw emotion in their scenes together, but Affleck and Washington never generate much heat, while Yeun mostly stands around looking shady.

— David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of shady

Adjective

Instead of a nanny, Lowen Ashleigh (Johnson) is a up-and-coming writer hired to help famed author Verity Crawford (Hathaway) finish her series of twisted psychological thrillers after a car accident left her unable to complete them on her own.

— Glamour, Glamour, 2 Oct. 2026
An annual auction will be held at the famed botanic garden outside Santa Barbara.

— Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of famed

Adjective

Spanning multiple decades, the period procedural follows a legendary detective who, alongside his dedicated team, cracks complex criminal cases while chronicling the evolving apparatus of China’s public security forces.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
Patterson said on his campaign website his priorities include pushing for local rather than state control, strengthening criminal accountability, securing funding for infrastructure and protecting homeowners from rising property tax rates.

— Alula Alderson, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of criminal

Adjective

Now the sports outlet is likely to tamp down on costs by parting ways with the celebrated color commentator.

— Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Oct. 2026
This year, the event will once again feature panels, thought-provoking conversations, roundtables, networking opportunities and activations, along with the celebrated Billboard En Vivo performances.

— Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of celebrated

Adjective

The Blocks are a prominent Hamburg family best known for their popular national steakhouse chain Block House.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Being able to recruit a prominent voice cast that includes Abbi Jacobson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Bryan Cranston also helped the film travel.

— Katherine Brodsky, Variety, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of prominent

Adjective

Kevin Kwan created an irresistible world filled with the perfect blend of glitz, humor, and heart, and the talented Adele Lim returns to adapt this renowned tale for a new television audience.

— Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, Godrich — renowned for his work with Radiohead, Beck, and Paul McCartney, along with playing in Atoms for Peace with Thom Yorke and Flea — was looking to step back a bit.

— Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of renowned

Browse Nearby Words

notoriety

notorious

not to mention

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Style

“Notorious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/notorious. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of notorious

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