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
Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
This is the second of a three-part series on reports that Trump CIA Director John Ratcliffe has referred two Obama-era officials — John Brennan and James Comey, then directors of the CIA and FBI, respectively — for criminal investigation.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 14 July 2025
Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2025
The thriller follows a professional criminal who, after surviving an assassination attempt, embarks on a relentless quest to identify his would-be killer and protect his family.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminal
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.
Adjective
Attorney General Pam Bondi fired an additional nine DOJ staffers who worked on criminal cases against President Trump last week.
—Maria Gracia Santillana Linares, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
This is the second of a three-part series on reports that Trump CIA Director John Ratcliffe has referred two Obama-era officials — John Brennan and James Comey, then directors of the CIA and FBI, respectively — for criminal investigation.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 14 July 2025
Noun
Betty Ann Tomlinson, 50, was charged Thursday afternoon with arson, conspiracy to commit arson and assisting a criminal.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2025
The thriller follows a professional criminal who, after surviving an assassination attempt, embarks on a relentless quest to identify his would-be killer and protect his family.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 July 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 21 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share