crim·i·nal
ˈkri-mə-nᵊl 
ˈkrim-nəl
1
: relating to, involving, or being a crime
criminal neglect
a criminal organization
2
: relating to crime or to the prosecution of suspects in a crime
criminal statistics
brought criminal action
the criminal justice system
3
: guilty of crime
also
: of or befitting a criminal
a criminal mind
4
: disgraceful
It's criminal how unfunny this comedy is.—
Rick Bentley
Rick Bentley
criminally
adverb
1
: one who has committed a crime
2
: a person who has been convicted of a crime
Examples of criminal in a Sentence
Adjective
a history of criminal behavior
The captain of the wrecked boat was accused of criminal negligence.
The company brought criminal charges against her.
It's criminal that the government is doing nothing to stop the problem.
Noun
car thieves, pickpockets, burglars, and other criminals
Recent Examples on the Web
Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2025
Between July and September 2024, authorities received tips that showed Adams created multiple anonymous profiles on Kik, a social media platform, to upload child pornography, according to a criminal complaint.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Louis Menand, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2025
Ron is dealing with family troubles, and Ibrahim is still providing therapy to his favorite criminal.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminal
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show current usage.
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Adjective
Man charged in shooting A man identified in court documents as Jermaine Hall has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action and aggravated fleeing a stop or detention in connection with the shooting.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2025
Between July and September 2024, authorities received tips that showed Adams created multiple anonymous profiles on Kik, a social media platform, to upload child pornography, according to a criminal complaint.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Noun
The immediate impact on public opinion is hard to gauge, but, as the war went on, the picture came to stand for the belief that in supporting South Vietnam, the United States was supporting war criminals.
—Louis Menand, New Yorker, 27 Sep. 2025
Ron is dealing with family troubles, and Ibrahim is still providing therapy to his favorite criminal.
—Lizz Schumer, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminal. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
criminal
1 of 2 adjective
crim·i·nal
ˈkrim-ən-ᵊl
ˈkrim-nəl
1
: being or guilty of a crime
a criminal act
2
: relating to crime or its punishment
criminal court
criminality
noun
ˌkrim-ə-ˈnal-ət-ē
criminally
adverb
ˈkrim-ən-ᵊl-ē
-nə-lē
criminal
2 of 2 noun
: a person who has committed a crime
Legal Definition
criminal
1 of 2 adjective
crim·i·nal
ˈkri-mə-nəl
1
: relating to, involving, or being a crime
criminal neglect
criminal conduct
2
: relating to crime or its prosecution
brought a criminal action
criminal code
compare civil sense 4, penal
criminal
2 of 2 noun1
: one who has committed a crime
2
: a person who has been convicted of a crime
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