crime

Definition of crimenext

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun crime contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of crime are offense, scandal, sin, and vice. While all these words mean "a transgression of law," crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state.

the crime of murder

When would offense be a good substitute for crime?

The words offense and crime are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code.

at that school no offense went unpunished

When can scandal be used instead of crime?

The meanings of scandal and crime largely overlap; however, scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience.

a career ruined by a sex scandal

When is sin a more appropriate choice than crime?

The synonyms sin and crime are sometimes interchangeable, but sin implies an offense against moral or religious law.

the sin of blasphemy

When could vice be used to replace crime?

In some situations, the words vice and crime are roughly equivalent. However, vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts.

regarded gambling as a vice

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 crime The project marks the second outing for Interdonato as writer-director-star following the theatrical release of crime-drama The Bastard Sons by Vertical Entertainment in January 2024. Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Feb. 2026 First and foremost, fighting violent crime. Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026 Her disappearance is being investigated as a crime. Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 5 Feb. 2026 Still, crime in Oakland declined significantly during his tenure, following a nationwide trend of dropping crime rates following a spike during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for crime
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crime
Noun
  • Brain imaging studies of criminality going back to 2009 have suggested that damage to a swath of white matter called the right uncinate fasciculus is somehow involved when people commit violent acts.
    Christopher M. Filley, The Conversation, 3 Feb. 2026
  • The government, along with much of purple and red America, pound the message that ICE in Minnesota is all about state corruption and criminality.
    Ed Bok Lee, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Anger, relief, anxiety, numbness, shame—all of these are normal reactions.
    Cynthia Pong, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
  • There’s no shame in a living room dance party.
    Avery Newmark, AJC.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • The Kremlin said its aircraft reacted to a violation of a no-fly zone Russia has established in the area near Crimea.
    DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFF FROM WIRE REPORTS, Arkansas Online, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The issue, Council Member Jimmy Hallyburton said, is that the city doesn’t have any definitions of violations that the organizers may have committed.
    Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The ardor of contention, the pride of victory, the despair of success, the memory of past injuries and the fear of future dangers all contribute to inflame the mind and to silence the voice of pity.
    David Brooks, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026
  • They’ve even been repped by the same agency, for pity’s sake.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 13 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • This idea that America is a nefarious and terrible force in the world that has committed myriad sins and must withdraw from the world, both for its own good and for the good of the world.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The deadline still needs to play out, and Karnisovas has some basketball sins to recover from before this thing trends in the right direction.
    Joel Lorenzi, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • He was acquitted by a jury of seven other counts and the jury deadlocked on the remaining of a total 21 felony counts.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 3 Feb. 2026
  • He was also charged with invasive visual recording in a bathroom or dressing room, which is a state jail felony, according to county records.
    Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 3 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The case was settled out of court in 2022, with Andrew admitting no wrongdoing.
    Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
  • Attia has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
    Leah Asmelash, CNN Money, 4 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crime. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on crime

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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