infamy
n.n. a very bad reputation that people know and talk about. It is the opposite of fame, but it is much more negative.
n. a state of being widely known for something bad or criminal. Often used to describe a reputation that is infamous for its negative impact on a person or place.
The criminal's name became a symbol of infamy.
The city's reputation for corruption led to its infamy across the country.
The scandal that led to the politician's resignation ensured his infamy in the annals of modern history, overshadowing any previous achievements he had made.
From late Middle English infamie, from Old French infamie, from Latin īnfāmia (“infamy”), from īnfāmis (“infamous”), from in- (“not”) + fāma (“fame, renown”). Displaced native Old English unhlīsa (literally “bad fame”).