crime

noun

ˈkrīm How to pronounce crime (audio)
Definition of crimenext
1
as in criminality
activities that are in violation of the laws of the state a promise by the president to step up the war against crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in shame
a regrettable or blameworthy act it's a crime to waste food, so give the rest of the pizza to me

Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in violation
a breaking of a moral or legal code anyone who commits a crime should expect to be punished for it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun crime contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of crime are offense, scandal, sin, and vice. While all these words mean "a transgression of law," crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state.

the crime of murder

When would offense be a good substitute for crime?

The words offense and crime are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code.

at that school no offense went unpunished

When can scandal be used instead of crime?

The meanings of scandal and crime largely overlap; however, scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience.

a career ruined by a sex scandal

When is sin a more appropriate choice than crime?

The synonyms sin and crime are sometimes interchangeable, but sin implies an offense against moral or religious law.

the sin of blasphemy

When could vice be used to replace crime?

In some situations, the words vice and crime are roughly equivalent. However, vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts.

regarded gambling as a vice

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of crime Sheriff Adkinson says there's also a challenge with crime victims who are immigrants feeling reluctant to report those crimes out of fear. — Marisa Peñaloza, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026 Defense Minister Israel Katz has stripped the army of authority over settler crimes, shifting enforcement to police, a move rights groups say will do little to protect Palestinians. — Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison and are separate from the state allegations, which include second-degree murder and firearms crimes. — Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026 The psychological crime thriller Come With Me, starring Theo Rossi and Ron Perlman, has sold to Vertical Entertainment for North America. — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crime
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crime
  1. criminality
  2. shame
  3. violation
  4. pity
  5. sin
  6. felony
  7. wrongdoing
Noun
  • From self-sufficient campaigns to opportunistic criminality Defenders used individual incidents, such as supply chain intrusions, ransomware outbreaks, and phishing waves, to quantify risk for the most of the past ten years.
    — Chuck Brooks, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • These programs are laudable, certainly beneficial for some people, but overall are of limited effect even in reducing recidivism, let alone dealing with the conditions that generate criminality in the first place.
    — Ronald J. Allen, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
Definition of criminality
Noun
  • For the countless women who either never bounce back or bounce back slowly, social media can add a layer of shame.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Which is a shame, because these guys were just as talented (if not more talented) than some of the more popular axe-slingers of the 80s.
    — Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of shame
Noun
  • Despite that, the students were still found responsible for the indoor protest ban violation.
    — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • He was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism, as well as a probation violation, and booked into the Main Jail in San Jose.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • There’s probably a part of her that understands the extent to which she’s been robbed of her life, but pity isn’t the word for it.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Before the recording was played, Judge William Sullivan warned jurors not to allow sympathy, anger, passion or pity to influence their verdict.
    — Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026
Definition of pity
Noun
  • Fans of improv, musicals and audience participation will thoroughly enjoy this performance and should be prepared to repent for sins like eating a hamburger, owning too many snakes or yearning for a younger man.
    — Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 9 Aug. 2026
  • Where death’s grey skies loom large, the 2000s are portrayed in silvery black and white while ancient action takes place in vibrant colors, with Dante’s tale of sin and justice rolled into one story.
    — A.D. Amorosi, SPIN, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of sin
Noun
  • Boulder police said in a statement announcing the arrest that the Boulder District Attorney’s Office has filed felony charges of theft and embezzlement of public property, as well as a misdemeanor charge of first-degree official misconduct.
    — Matt Moret, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Suspects Andy Garcia, 28, and Abigail Islas, 26, were booked into jail for six felonies and misdemeanors, including furnishing marijuana to a minor, possession of marijuana for sale and conspiracy to commit a crime.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of felony
Noun
  • Despite all this, Hillsborough retains a vibrancy and passion that helped keep the club going through the nadir of finishing on zero points in the Championship last season after being deducted 18 for financial wrongdoings.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In the settlement agreement, the companies denied any wrongdoing.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of wrongdoing

Browse Nearby Words

cries up
crime
crimes
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Cite this Entry

“Crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crime. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of crime for Spanish Speakers

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