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
Forged in crucibles of traumatic childhoods and unthinkable loss, both Batman and Alice seek to right wrongs that the criminal justice system won’t touch. — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026 When Earl Warren presided, from 1953 to 1969, the Court helped make voting fairer, establish rights for criminal defendants, and dismantle Jim Crow. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Noun
But despite being widely recognized as a war criminal, Mladić remains a popular figure among some Serbs. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 Meet Lucia and Jason We've been teased for over a year now that our main duo, Lucia and Jason, are criminals, with Lucia recently being an inmate at the Leonida Penitentiary. — Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 27 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
  • Spires is also charged with felony unlawful possession of a firearm by a dangerous person and three misdemeanors, while Wilson is also charged with two misdemeanors, filings show.
    — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Put more bluntly, sports event contracts are protected by federal law in some parts of the country but remain vulnerable elsewhere to states deeming them unlawful.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of unlawful
Noun
  • At the same hearing, a fifth defendant, Subhan Ahmed, 18, pleaded not guilty to a charge of assisting an offender.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Hisbah members also face widespread allegations of rights abuses in their enforcement operations, including subjecting offenders to dehumanizing punishments such as public beatings or shaming.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of offender
Adjective
  • Deli containers, those clear plastic cylinders that hold bagel schmears, premade pasta salads, and the occasional illicit public beach cocktail, enjoy vaunted status in the food world.
    — Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Lake County State's Attorney said an investigation starting in June 2026 found illicit activity on a peer-to-peer file-sharing network.
    — Elyssa Kaufman, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of illicit
Adjective
  • Her husband was arrested that day and faces 10 counts of felonious criminal abuse charges.
    — Jane Park, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Aug. 2026
  • 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
Definition of felonious
Adjective
  • But such is the strength of feeling, former Love managing director Letty Kavanagh has launched twin lawsuits against Sky for wrongful dismissal and unpaid severance, as revealed by Deadline this month.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026
  • In a statement given to the The Athletic on Wednesday, Hampshire Police confirmed that Sterling had been charged with dangerous driving, possession of nitrous oxide for wrongful inhalation and failing to provide a specimen.
    — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 26 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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