as in illegal
contrary to or forbidden by law
people should know with certainty that criminal behavior will be punished
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in offender
a person who has committed a crime
car thieves, pickpockets, burglars, and other criminals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of criminal
Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
Joseph Giacalone, a criminal justice professor at Penn State Lehigh Valley and a skeptic of the Smiley theory, said the mayor’s remarks were premature.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Her previous visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan’s war dead, including war criminals, have drawn criticism from China and South Korea, which see the site as a symbol of Tokyo’s wartime aggression.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Adjective
Both are now under federal criminal investigation.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
Joseph Giacalone, a criminal justice professor at Penn State Lehigh Valley and a skeptic of the Smiley theory, said the mayor’s remarks were premature.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
In studying both criminals and law enforcement officers over the years, Mann has repeatedly been fascinated by both the complexities and contradictions in their personalities.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
Her previous visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine, which honors Japan’s war dead, including war criminals, have drawn criticism from China and South Korea, which see the site as a symbol of Tokyo’s wartime aggression.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminal
Adjective
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Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
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Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.—
Lisa Beebe,
Los Angeles Magazine,
5 July 2017
Noun
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The offenders will get young women to send explicit photos using similar blackmailing tactics.—
Molly Beck,
jsonline.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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If this is what’s happening, Durvasula advises talent leaders to figure out ways to keep offenders away from as many people as possible.—
Susan Caminiti,
CNBC,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Sanchez was arrested at the hospital last Saturday on counts of battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication, all which are misdemeanors.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
12 Oct. 2025
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Sanchez initially faced charges of battery resulting in an injury, public intoxication and unlawful entry before prosecutors in Marion County added a Level 5 felony battery charge.—
Devon Henderson,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Trump has made combating the opioid crisis, particularly the influx of illicit fentanyl, a central focus of his administration's policies.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
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Fox News exclusively embedded with the Austin Police Department as part of a nationwide human trafficking operation targeting illicit Chinese massage parlors.—
Brooke Taylor,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Angel Holland and Aaron Stalling are under arrest on three counts each of felonious assault and endangering children.—
Jennifer Edwards Baker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
24 Sep. 2025
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Travis Jackson, 36, is charged with two counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault and discharging a firearm.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In 2021, Creech sued the company, alleging wrongful termination after being blamed for a fire that broke out at the facility the previous year.—
Alisha Ebrahimji,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
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The defense intends to argue that the totality of circumstances — Subu’s wrongful imprisonment, his lifelong residence in the United States, and his record of rehabilitation — warrants reopening the case.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminal. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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