as in illegal
contrary to or forbidden by law
people should know with certainty that criminal behavior will be punished
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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.
Recent Examples of criminal
City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025
The result will be an increase in preying on immigrants by the criminal element: robbery, protection scams, sweatshop labor and human trafficking, as the immigrant community withdraws from reliance on no-longer-safe court systems.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 July 2025
Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
The conflict between the two factions is playing out in real time as workers fear for their jobs and relatives while business leaders—many of whom believed that promised ICE raids would focus on criminals and gang members rather than law-abiding workers—watch their revenue streams go up in smoke.
—Irina Ivanova, Fortune, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Adjective
The San Diego County district attorney’s office has cleared of criminal liability the San Diego police officer who shot and killed Dejon Heard a year ago in Bird Rock, according to a review released July 3.
—City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025
The result will be an increase in preying on immigrants by the criminal element: robbery, protection scams, sweatshop labor and human trafficking, as the immigrant community withdraws from reliance on no-longer-safe court systems.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 July 2025
Noun
Noem are working every day to get vicious criminals out of our country while activist judges are fighting to bring them back onto American soil.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
The conflict between the two factions is playing out in real time as workers fear for their jobs and relatives while business leaders—many of whom believed that promised ICE raids would focus on criminals and gang members rather than law-abiding workers—watch their revenue streams go up in smoke.
—Irina Ivanova, Fortune, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminal
Adjective
-
Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
-
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
Adjective
-
Jorge Garibay said in a statement Friday, adding that the efforts were aimed at reducing fire risk and unlawful activity throughout the city.—
Jason Green,
Mercury News,
28 June 2025
-
The court cited the First Amendment (freedom of speech), the Fourth Amendment (protection against unlawful search and seizure), and the Fourteenth Amendment (due process and equal protection).—
Ashley Fredde,
Idaho Statesman,
27 June 2025
Adjective
-
What emerges isn’t just kickbacks — but the outlines of a prostitution ring allegedly funded with illicit money.—
Gina Montaner,
Miami Herald,
1 July 2025
-
In two new indictments, the U.S. Department of Justice alleges millions in illicit earnings by remote work impersonators.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
She has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault), first-degree vulnerable adult abuse and assault or assault and battery.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Jones-Ogletree, who also goes by Darnell Ogletree, is charged with murder, felonious assault and abduction.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In Tuesday’s order, the court denied a request by Melgar-Salmeron’s lawyers to appoint a special master to investigate authorities and officials involved in the wrongful deportation.—
Karina Tsui,
CNN Money,
25 June 2025
-
The suit also alleges discrimination, harassment, retaliation and wrongful termination.—
Alex Riggins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminal. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share