criminal

¹crim·i·nal

adj \ˈkri-mə-n^əl, ˈkrim-nəl\

Definition of CRIMINAL

1

: relating to, involving, or being a crime <criminal neglect>

2

: relating to crime or to the prosecution of suspects in a crime <criminal statistics> <brought criminal action>

3

: guilty of crime; also : of or befitting a criminal <a criminal mind>

4

: disgraceful

— crim·i·nal·ly adverb

Examples of CRIMINAL

1. a history of criminal behavior
2. The captain of the wrecked boat was accused of criminal negligence.
3. The company brought criminal charges against her.
4. It's criminal that the government is doing nothing to stop the problem.

Origin of CRIMINAL

Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French criminal, from Late Latin criminalis, from Latin crimin-, crimen crime

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to CRIMINAL

Synonyms: illegal, felonious, illegitimate, illicit, lawless, unlawful, wrongful

Antonyms: lawful, legal, legitimate

Related Words: bad, evil, immoral, shameful, sinful, unethical, wicked, wrong; blamable, blameworthy, censurable, reprehensible; banned, barred, contraband, criminalized, disallowed, discouraged, forbidden, interdicted, outlawed, prohibited, proscribed; adulterine, bootleg, unauthorized, unlicensed, unsanctioned; under-the-counter, under-the-table; corrupt, unprincipled, unscrupulous, villainous

Near Antonyms: ethical, good, just, principled, right, righteous, virtuous; allowed, permitted; authorized, licensed; approved, endorsed (also indorsed), sanctioned; abetted, encouraged, promoted, suggested, supported; correct, decent, decorous, proper, seemly

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Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with CRIMINAL

liminal, Viminal