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malefactor

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noun mal·e·fac·tor \ ˈma-lə-ˌfak-tər \

Definition of malefactor

1 :one who commits an offense against the law; especially :felon
  • He favors harsh punishment for chronic malefactors.
2 :one who does ill toward another
  • a sinister malefactor abusing his power
  • —Iron Age

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Examples of malefactor in a Sentence

  1. she regards anyone who would cause the breakup of a family as a malefactor of the worst sort

  2. the victim was able to give a clear description of the malefactor to the police

Recent Examples of malefactor from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'malefactor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of malefactor

Middle English malefactour, from Latin malefactor, from malefacere to do evil, from male + facere to do — more at do

malefactor Synonyms

Synonyms
immoralist, evildoer, sinner, wrongdoer
Related Words
criminal, crook, felon, lawbreaker, miscreant, misdoer, misfeasor, offender, reprobate, transgressor, villain; corrupter (also corruptor)
Near Antonyms
angel, innocent, saint

MALEFACTOR Defined for English Language Learners

malefactor

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noun

Definition of malefactor for English Language Learners

  • : someone who is guilty of a crime or offense : a person whose behavior is wrong or evil

Learn More about malefactor

  1. See words that rhyme with malefactor Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for malefactor Spanish Central: Translation of malefactor Nglish: Translation of malefactor for Spanish speakers

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Examples: malefactor in a Sentence