notoriety
UK: /ˌnəʊ.təˈraɪ.ə.ti/ | US: /ˌnoʊ.t̬əˈraɪ.ə.t̬i/
n. the state of being famous or well-known for something bad
n. widespread recognition, especially of an unfavorable nature
The word traces back to Latin notorius, which initially meant "well-known" without negative connotations. Over time, especially in English, it evolved to emphasize infamy—likely due to association with public scandals or crimes. The suffix -iety (a variant of -ity) solidifies its abstract noun form, framing "notoriety" as a state of being widely recognized for negative reasons.
The criminal gained notoriety after escaping prison twice.
Social media can amplify a person’s notoriety within hours.
The town’s notoriety for corruption deterred investors.
Her notoriety as a harsh critic made authors nervous.
The artist embraced his notoriety, using it to fuel his controversial work.