Definition of NOTORIOUS (original) (raw)
: generally known and talked of
iron is a notorious conductor of heat—
Lewis Mumford
especially : widely and unfavorably known
an area notorious for soot, smog, and dust —Pliotron
Did you know?
For those who don’t give a hang about a bad reputation, being notorious for unpopular behavior is no biggie. (Being notorious for topping the Billboard charts? Now that's a Biggie.) Although notorious (which comes from Latin noscere, "to come to know") can be a synonym of famous, it's more often a synonym of infamous, having long ago developed the additional implication of someone or something disreputable. The Book of Common Prayer of 1549 includes one of the first known uses of the unfavorable meaning in print, referring to "notorious synners." You know what they say: more notorious synners, more problems.
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for notorious
renowned implies more glory and acclamation.
one of the most renowned figures in sports history
celebrated implies notice and attention especially in print.
the most celebrated beauty of her day
noted suggests well-deserved public attention.
notorious frequently adds to famous an implication of questionableness or evil.
distinguished implies acknowledged excellence or superiority.
a distinguished scientist who won the Nobel Prize
eminent implies even greater prominence for outstanding quality or character.
the country's most eminent writers
illustrious stresses enduring honor and glory attached to a deed or person.
Examples of notorious in a Sentence
The coach is notorious for his violent outbursts. a notorious mastermind of terrorist activities
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Related article New bird flu infections in Nevada dairy cattle signal the virus may be here to stay Hilleman was born a year after the notorious 1918 influenza pandemic swept the world, killing 20 million to 100 million people. —Alexandra M. Lord, CNN, 9 Feb. 2025 The Survivor alum lied about his grandmother dying in a notorious, pivotal moment on the Pearl Islands season of the show in 2003, attempting to drum up sympathy from his fellow players. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 8 Feb. 2025 One of the great wealthy villains of modernity, Martin Shkreli, didn’t just buy a coveted piece of cultural heritage—the notorious Wu-Tang Clan album—for his own private consumption. —Brian Klaas, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2025 Ongwen was a onetime child soldier who morphed into a brutal commander of a notorious rebel group known as the Lord’s Resistance Army. —Molly Quell, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for notorious 
Word History
Etymology
Medieval Latin notorius, from Late Latin notorium information, indictment, from Latin noscere to come to know — more at know
First Known Use
1534, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of notorious was in 1534
Dictionary Entries Near notorious
Cite this Entry
“Notorious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/notorious. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 12 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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