Word: notoriety (noun)

Associations

Notoriety refers to the state of being famous or well-known, usually for something bad or negative. It is linked with public attention that is often unfavorable.

• Example 1: The criminal gained notoriety for his daring heists. (He became famous for his bad actions.)
• Example 2: The film gained notoriety for its controversial subject matter. (It became well-known for a topic that many people disagreed with.)
• Example 3: The athlete's notoriety grew after his scandal was revealed. (He became famous, but in a negative way, after a scandal.)

A well-known synonym is "infamy." The important difference is that notoriety can refer to general fame, often bad, while infamy usually indicates being famous specifically for something wicked or villainous.

Substitution

In place of "notoriety," you could use:

• "fame" - which is usually positive or neutral (He gained fame for his achievements.)
• "reputation" - which can be good or bad (His reputation suffered after the incident.)
• "infamy" - which is negative (She was remembered in infamy after her crime.)

Deconstruction

The word "notoriety" comes from the Latin root "notorius," meaning "well-known." The root "not" signals acknowledgment or knowledge about something. There are no prefixes or suffixes in "notoriety," but understanding the root helps to see why it emphasizes being known, often for negative reasons.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a person who has notoriety? What did they do to earn it?
• How might notoriety affect someone's life differently than fame?
• In what situations do you think notoriety can be harmful, and why?