What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
infamy
Example
The criminal gained infamy after committing a series of heinous crimes. [infamy: noun]
Example
The politician's infamy was well-known due to his involvement in a corruption scandal. [infamy: noun]
shame
Example
He felt shame for cheating on the exam. [shame: noun]
Example
She was ashamed of her behavior at the party. [ashamed: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Shame is more commonly used than infamy in everyday language. Shame is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while infamy is less common and refers to a more extreme and specific type of negative reputation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between infamy and shame?
Both infamy and shame are associated with a formal tone and are used in more serious contexts. However, infamy is more formal and is often used in legal or historical contexts, while shame can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
