infamous

comparative more infamous · superlative most infamous

1. Having a bad reputation; disreputable; notorious; unpleasant or evil; widely known, especially for something scornful.

   He was an infamous traitor.

   4 more examples

   She is infamous for perjury.

   Soon we arrived at the Beijing Hotel—within shouting distance of the now infamous Tienanmen Square.

   1995, Leonard Nimoy, I Am Spock, New York: Hyperion, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, page 188

   These infamous little green men appeared during the decisive seizures or buildings and facilities, only to disappear when associated militias and local troops arrived to consolidate the gains. In this way they provided a measure of deniability—however superficial or implausible—for Moscow.⁴⁰

   2014, “Little Green Men”: A Primer on Modern Russian Unconventional Warfare, Ukraine 2013–2014, Fort Bragg, North Carolina: The United States Army Special Operations Command, page 43

   Despite the line proving to be a useful strategic route for men and supplies to the British naval fleets stationed at Scapa Flow in both world wars, the Duke's legacy looked to have passed into history when it was listed for closure in the infamous Beeching report.

   2021 October 20, Paul Stephen, “Leisure and pleasure on the Far North Line”, in RAIL, number 942, page 48

   Synonyms: ill-famed, nefarious, nithing, disreputable, ill-famed, nefarious, niddering, nidering

2. Causing infamy; disgraceful.

   This infamous deed tarnishes all involved.

   1 more example

   Yes, Virginia, now Santa's doin' time In a Federal prison for his infamous crime

   1996, "Weird Al" Yankovic, “The Night Santa Went Crazy”, in Bad Hair Day

3. UKhistoricalSubject to a judicial punishment depriving (the person) of certain rights (e.g. the rights to hold public office, exercise the franchise, receive a public pension, serve on a jury, or give testimony in a court of law).
4. archaicPunishable by death or imprisonment.

   No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger […]

   1791 December 15, James Madison et al, Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution