as in criminal
a person who has committed a crime
juvenile offenders have their criminal records sealed when they turn 18
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of offender
Anyone can see how many cases are filed, how much attorneys collect, and who the worst offenders are.
—
Tom Manzo, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Punish the worst offenders by requiring them to apologize, publicly, for missing the mark.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
The offenders then fled the scene.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
The worst offender is the federal government, which, in theory at least, is an extension of the people.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
These agencies work to ensure consistent and centralized coordination of federal prisons and offenders.
—Jennifer Selin, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
And, human hair was by far the worst offender.
—Essence, 1 Apr. 2026
Strengthening public-education campaigns in high-risk areas is critical, as many drivers — especially first-time offenders — may underestimate the probability of impaired driving and the deadly consequences of their actions.
—Sean M. Cleary, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Mistakes that leave streaks behind Washing in direct sunlight ranks as the top offender.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Tom Manzo, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Punish the worst offenders by requiring them to apologize, publicly, for missing the mark.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
The offenders then fled the scene.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
The worst offender is the federal government, which, in theory at least, is an extension of the people.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
These agencies work to ensure consistent and centralized coordination of federal prisons and offenders.
—Jennifer Selin, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
And, human hair was by far the worst offender.
—Essence, 1 Apr. 2026
Strengthening public-education campaigns in high-risk areas is critical, as many drivers — especially first-time offenders — may underestimate the probability of impaired driving and the deadly consequences of their actions.
—Sean M. Cleary, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Mistakes that leave streaks behind Washing in direct sunlight ranks as the top offender.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offender
Noun
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Göring, played by Russell Crowe, is the troubling centerpiece of James Vanderbilt’s ambitious film devoted to the trial of the major Nazi war criminals at Nuremberg in 1945–1946.—
Alice Kaplan,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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Also included is a 13% increase in funding for the Department of Justice to focus on violent criminals and a $481 million increase in funding to enhance aviation safety and support an air traffic controller hiring surge.—
LISA MASCARO,
Arkansas Online,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The culprit is one of the least snowy winter seasons in California in modern times, and the mountains at Yosemite have not been spared.—
Kurtis Alexander,
San Francisco Chronicle,
4 Apr. 2026
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Housing is the culprit, not wages!—
Russell Hancock,
Mercury News,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offender. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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