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
Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2026
Powell confirmed in a video statement Sunday evening that federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation related to his Senate Banking Committee testimony on the renovation of Fed office buildings.
—Tasmin Lockwood,hugh Leask,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
Raj Ananthanpillai, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Even Republicans who sometimes refrain from endorsing the president’s most unhinged demands seem to believe that the ICE protests have no legitimacy and that Minnesota’s Democratic officials are, if not outright criminals, bad actors.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Adjective
Trump denied any involvement in the criminal investigation during a brief interview with NBC News on Sunday night.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Jan. 2026
Powell confirmed in a video statement Sunday evening that federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation related to his Senate Banking Committee testimony on the renovation of Fed office buildings.
—Tasmin Lockwood,hugh Leask,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2026
Noun
In an instant, the personal information of 147 million people was exposed to criminals.
—Raj Ananthanpillai, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Even Republicans who sometimes refrain from endorsing the president’s most unhinged demands seem to believe that the ICE protests have no legitimacy and that Minnesota’s Democratic officials are, if not outright criminals, bad actors.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
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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Boardman imposed a sentence of 97 months, citing Roske’s mental health and concerns about incarceration conditions and his status as a first-time criminal offender.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
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Since 2013, the law has allowed juvenile offenders serving life without parole to petition to have their sentence recalled and to be resentenced.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Court records show that Moss was charged in 2024 with a range of felonies, including domestic battery and unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.—
Patrick Smith,
NBC news,
23 Jan. 2026
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In June 2024, court records show, Moss was charged with three felony counts of domestic battery, three felony counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, two felony counts of intimidation and felony criminal recklessness.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The Rosens, who allegedly used the illicit profits to buy a lavish multi-million-dollar home in La Jolla, were in custody and made initial appearances Wednesday in federal court in San Diego.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
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This series of high-profile cases — which follow a rapid nationwide expansion of legal sports gambling — has triggered calls for the leagues to create and empower an internal investigative agency to police for illicit gambling schemes and misconduct by players and other employees.—
Scott MacFarlane,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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William Daggett, who later served as Mitchellville’s police chief and interim city administrator before resigning the day the state audit was released, is charged with first-degree theft and felonious misconduct in office.—
Nick El Hajj,
Des Moines Register,
9 Jan. 2026
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The suspect is a 29-year-old woman from Lincoln Park, who faces multiple charges, including fleeing and eluding, felonious assault on a police officer, and operating under the influence of drugs.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Until 1946, most citizens seeking compensation for a negligent or wrongful act by a civil servant could get it only through a literal act of Congress, case by case.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
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Attorney Janis Puracal specializes in evidence that can lead to wrongful convictions.—
Sarah Prior,
CBS News,
25 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminal. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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