notoriety

noun

no·​to·​ri·​e·​ty ˌnō-tə-ˈrī-ə-tē How to pronounce notoriety (audio)
plural notorieties
Synonyms of notorietynext
1
: the quality or state of being notorious
the city's notoriety for corrupt and incompetent government— R. E. Merriam
2
: a notorious person
love to have notabilities and notorieties under one roof— The Times Literary Supplement (London)

Synonyms

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Examples of notoriety in a Sentence

He achieved instant fame and notoriety with the release of his film. She gained notoriety when nude photographs of her appeared in a magazine. His comment about the President has given him a notoriety that he enjoys very much.
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.
Prince, who is the brother of US President Donald Trump’s former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, founded Blackwater, which gained notoriety in 2007 during the Iraq War, when its private contractors opened fire in Baghdad’s Nisour Square, killing 17 Iraqi civilians. — Michael Rios, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025 Canteen London, England Created by the team behind The Pelican and The Hero, Canteen has quickly gained notoriety. — Rachel Dube, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 Anthony, 38, gained national notoriety after she was accused of killing her daughter, Caylee Anthony, in 2008 in a case that attracted a media frenzy much like the O.J. Simpson trial. — N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025 Even more importantly, notoriety from the feat could provide the one-time construction worker and sales rep for various surf brands with a few additional career opportunities. — Johnny Dodd, People.com, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for notoriety

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French notorieté, from Medieval Latin notorietat-, notorietas, from notorius

First Known Use

circa 1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of notoriety was circa 1650

Rhymes for notoriety

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Cite this Entry

“Notoriety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/notoriety. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

notoriety

noun
no·​to·​ri·​ety
ˌnōt-ə-ˈrī-ət-ē
plural notorieties
: the quality or state of being notorious

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Nglish: Translation of notoriety for Spanish Speakers

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