criminal 1 of 2

adjective

ˈkri-mə-nᵊl How to pronounce criminal (audio)
Definition of criminalnext
as in illegal
contrary to or forbidden by law people should know with certainty that criminal behavior will be punished

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

criminal

2 of 2

noun

as in offender
a person who has committed a crime car thieves, pickpockets, burglars, and other criminals

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 criminal
Adjective
The use of rap lyrics as evidence in criminal trials is controversial, with critics saying the practice chills creative expression and allows prosecutors to distort hyperbolic art in ways that reinforce racist stereotypes. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026 York, 46, was arrested by the East Palestine Police Department initially on misdemeanor charges of engaging in prostitution that was amended to disorderly conduct, and possessing criminal tools. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Noun
Fraud rarely flourishes because criminals are exceptionally clever. — Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026 But the police also caution that many stories involving scopolamine verge on urban legend, and confirm that most criminals use other sedative drugs to manipulate their victims. — Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for criminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminal
  1. unlawful
  2. offender
  3. illicit
  4. felonious
  5. wrongful
Adjective
  • Legal experts say such a move would probably be swiftly blocked by courts, as would any unlawful deployment of military troops to polls.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The suit alleges that Paramount’s unlawful termination has caused him some $4 million in economic damages.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of unlawful
Noun
  • Hansen’s sentence was first reduced to 25 years to life, and the state later created a pathway to earlier parole for many youthful offenders serving life sentences.
    — Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
  • From names like ChatGPT and Gemini to Meta AI, Perplexity, and even Grok, the report identifies which chatbots are the most privacy-friendly and transparent in their practices and which are the worst offenders.
    — Alan Henry, PC Magazine, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of offender
Adjective
  • China’s industrial overcapacity has lowered the costs of building and operating illicit enterprises.
    — Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Then again, maybe in Kawhi’s case, even illicit payments are load-managed.
    — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of illicit
Adjective
  • Zachary Robert Stacer, 22, was arrested on July 30 and charged with two counts of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, three counts of felonious assault and five counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer.
    — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • At his sentencing, Cuyahoga County Assistant Prosecutor Connor Davin recounted Loftis’ long history of criminal convictions, which included charges of assault on a peace officer, drug trafficking, felonious assault and armed robbery.
    — Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE, 9 July 2026
Definition of felonious
Adjective
  • Denver has 160 lawyers The two lawsuits were filed by Jessica Calderon, a former Denver city employee, and Everett Martinez, a current Denver city employee, who separately allege wrongful treatment and retaliation by the city.
    — Brian Maass, CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The mother of a 25-year-old man who was fatally shot by Lenexa police officers in June 2025, has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the city and the police officers accused of shooting the man.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of wrongful

Browse Nearby Words

crimes
criminal
criminal conversation
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Cite this Entry

“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminal. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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