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
Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the 41-year-old had a criminal history and his temporary legal status had expired.
—Marissa Armas, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Some members of the State Immigration Enforcement Council, which is composed of four sheriffs and four city police chiefs, said immigrants who aren’t criminals should be able to stay in the country, under certain conditions.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
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
The jury acquitted Contreras-Gafaro of nine additional charges, including theft in a range of $20,000 to $100,000, felony menacing, third-degree assault, child abuse, false imprisonment and criminal mischief, according to court records.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Mar. 2026
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the 41-year-old had a criminal history and his temporary legal status had expired.
—Marissa Armas, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
If one of those systems is breached, criminals can obtain card numbers in bulk.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Mar. 2026
Some members of the State Immigration Enforcement Council, which is composed of four sheriffs and four city police chiefs, said immigrants who aren’t criminals should be able to stay in the country, under certain conditions.
—Ana Goñi-Lessan, Sun Sentinel, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminal. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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
