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Famous vs. Infamous

Famous and Infamous Definitions

Famous

Well or widely known.

Infamous

Having an exceedingly bad reputation; notorious
An infamous outlaw.

Famous

First-rate; excellent
Had a famous time at the party.

Infamous

Causing or deserving severe public condemnation; heinous
"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury" (US Constitution, Amendment 5).

Famous

Known.

Infamous

(Law) Convicted of a crime, such as treason or felony, that carries a severe punishment. No longer in technical use.
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Famous

In the public eye.
Some people are only famous within their city.

Infamous

Having a bad reputation; disreputable; notorious; unpleasant or evil; widely known, especially for something scornful.
He was an infamous traitor.
She is infamous for perjury.

Famous

To make famous; to bring renown to.

Infamous

Causing infamy; disgraceful.
This infamous deed tarnishes all involved.

Famous

Celebrated in fame or public report; renowned; mach talked of; distinguished in story; - used in either a good or a bad sense, chiefly the former; often followed by for; as, famous for erudition, for eloquence, for military skill; a famous pirate.
Famous for a scolding tongue.

Infamous

Subject to a judicial punishment that deprived the infamous person of certain rights; this included a prohibition against holding public office, exercising the franchise, receiving a public pension, serving on a jury, or giving testimony in a court of law.
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Famous

Widely known and esteemed;
A famous actor
A celebrated musician
A famed scientist
An illustrious judge
A notable historian
A renowned painter

Infamous

Of very bad report; having a reputation of the worst kind; held in abhorrence; guilty of something that exposes to infamy; base; notoriously vile; detestable; as, an infamous traitor; an infamous perjurer.
False errant knight, infamous, and forsworn.

Infamous

Causing or producing infamy; deserving detestation; scandalous to the last degree; as, an infamous act; infamous vices; infamous corruption.

Infamous

Branded with infamy by conviction of a crime; as, at common law, an infamous person can not be a witness.

Infamous

Having a bad name as being the place where an odious crime was committed, or as being associated with something detestable; hence, unlucky; perilous; dangerous.
Infamous hills, and sandy perilous wilds.
The piny shadeMore infamous by cursed Lycaon made.

Infamous

Having an exceedingly bad reputation;
A notorious gangster
The tenderloin district was notorious for vice
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