infamy

/ˈɪnfəmi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪnfəmi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈin-fə-mē/ (ame, mw)

infamy — noun

  • infamysingular
  • infamiesplural

1. the condition of being widely known because of something evil or shameful that y

1.名詞B2
釋義

the condition of being widely known because of something evil or shameful that you have done

例句

The general's name lives in infamy for the massacre of innocent villagers.

fixed phrase: 'lives in infamy'

Rosa's political career ended in infamy after the bribery scandal broke.

collocation: ended in infamy

同義詞
  • notoriety

    similar meaning but slightly weaker; notoriety can come from any widely-known negative behaviour, while infamy often implies moral evil

  • disgrace

    focuses on loss of respect and honour rather than the public fame aspect

  • shame

    more personal and emotional; shame can be private, while infamy is always public

反義詞
  • honour

    public respect earned through good deeds

  • glory

    great fame and admiration won by doing something excellent

文法句型

live in infamy

achieve infamy

gain infamy

用法筆記

Common in historical and journalistic writing. The fixed expression 'live in infamy' is famously associated with President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1941 speech about the attack on Pearl Harbor.

常見錯誤

❌The singer achieved infamy for her hit songs.
✅The singer achieved fame for her hit songs.
💡'infamy' means a bad reputation, not a good one.

2. a shocking or evil action that brings public dishonour to the person or group re

2.名詞C1
釋義

a shocking or evil action that brings public dishonour to the person or group responsible

例句

The bombing of the hospital was an infamy that shocked the entire world.

countable use: 'an infamy' meaning a specific shocking act

The historian documented the infamies of the colonial government in her latest book.

plural form 'infamies' for multiple evil acts

同義詞
  • atrocity

    stronger and more violent; specifically used for cruel acts of war or aggression

  • outrage

    focuses on the angry public reaction rather than the act itself

  • scandal

    implies a secret or immoral act that is discovered and causes public anger; less severe than infamy

文法句型

an infamy

the infamies of...

commit an infamy

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1 (which is uncountable and refers to a state or reputation), this sense is a countable noun and can be pluralised ('infamies'). It refers to a single shocking event or action, not to a general reputation.

常見錯誤

❌The book describes the infamy of the war in detail.' (vague)
✅The book describes the infamies of the war in detail.
💡Use the plural countable form when referring to specific evil acts rather than the general state of being infamous.