Infamize

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To cause an individual or entity to be renowned for negative reasons through public exposure or criticism
2. To convert a person or thing into a figure of shame and notoriety due to malicious actions or behaviors
3. To turn someone or something into a symbol of disgrace and infamy as a result of public condemnation or scandal

Etymology: "Infamize" is a plain formation: English "infamy" with the verb-forming suffix "-ize" attached. "Infamy" itself comes from Latin "infamia", meaning ill fame or loss of reputation, built from "in-" (not) and "fama" (report, reputation). The suffix "-ize" comes from Greek "-izein" and was widely used to turn nouns and adjectives into verbs meaning "to make or cause to be" something, so "infamize" literally means to make someone infamous. Because the word is a straightforward coinage from these parts, its meaning follows directly from them: the core sense is public reputation turned into disgrace. Its use is best understood as a transitive verb that makes a person or thing the object of a bad reputation through condemnation or scandal.

Synonyms: defame, disgrace, sully, stain, denigrate

Antonyms: honor, glorify, praise, commend, celebrate