noncriminal

adjective

non·​crim·​i·​nal ˌnän-ˈkri-mə-nᵊl 

-ˈkrim-nəl

: not criminal : not relating to, involving, or being a crime

a noncriminal civil offense

: not guilty of or prone to criminal activity

… it is more difficult to understand why seemingly noncriminal people commit crimes in certain circumstances …

—Rachel Boba Santos

Examples of noncriminal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After all, more than 60% of 911 calls in New York are for noncriminal matters. —Daniela Gilbert, New York Daily News, 14 Jan. 2026

The current use of Whren in the immigration context takes these abuses further yet, singling out people not on suspicion of criminal behavior but for noncriminal immigration enforcement. —Paul Rosenzweig, The Atlantic, 12 Jan. 2026

Since President Trump took office, the number of noncriminal detainees arrested by ICE has increased by over 2000 percent. —CBS News, 23 Nov. 2025

Record numbers of immigrants without legal status have sought voluntary departures this year, amid a surge in arrests and efforts by the Trump administration to keep even noncriminal, longtime U.S. residents detained. —Katie Langford, Denver Post, 20 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for noncriminal

• subliminal
• criminal
• liminal

Legal Definition

noncriminal

adjective

non·​crim·​i·​nal

ˌnän-ˈkri-mən-ᵊl

: not criminal

noncriminal conduct