infamously

Infamously is an adverb that describes being known in a bad way, or doing something in a way that brings shame, blame, or public anger. It is not just about being well-known. It points to a reputation built on something disgraceful, shocking, cruel, or deeply embarrassing.

The word carries a strong sense of public disapproval and lasting disgrace. Think of historical figures like Benedict Arnold, who is infamously remembered as a traitor, or of places that are infamously associated with cruelty, corruption, or disaster. While "famous" is usually positive or neutral, "infamous" is clearly negative, and "infamously" adds that same negative sense to a verb or description.

You will often see infamously in history, news, and storytelling when people talk about scandals, crimes, harsh places, or public failures. For example, you might read, "The prison was infamously harsh," or "He was infamously linked to the scandal." It can also be used with dark humor for smaller everyday failures, as in saying someone is "infamously bad at parallel parking."

In the end, if a name, place, or event stays in people's minds because of shame or bad behavior, it may be remembered infamously. The word always suggests that the attention is unwanted and for the wrong reasons.