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
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Recent Examples of criminal
Hiba Rahim, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
Amid persisting violence from criminal groups in a country long considered a peaceful tourist hub, polling reveals that Costa Ricans are most concerned about security this year.
—Djenane Villanueva, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
But the judiciary’s catch-and-release policy for teenage criminals was not making Baltimore safer for tourists.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Adjective
In an effort to reinforce DeSantis’s campaign against CAIR and other advocates for Palestinian human rights, several Florida legislators have introduced bills that could upend the foundations of the American criminal justice system.
—Hiba Rahim, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2026
Amid persisting violence from criminal groups in a country long considered a peaceful tourist hub, polling reveals that Costa Ricans are most concerned about security this year.
—Djenane Villanueva, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
Noun
The truth, in my opinion, is that most of us just don’t really care for having dangerous criminals as neighbors.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Jan. 2026
But the judiciary’s catch-and-release policy for teenage criminals was not making Baltimore safer for tourists.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2026
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
Noun
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The committee voted to fully fund payments to jails, which have housed some offenders as a backup, and for medical payments.—
The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
31 Jan. 2026
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An Illinois man faces child pornography charges in Waukesha County under a new Wisconsin law that aims to punish offenders who use artificial intelligence to generate explicit images.—
Chris Ramirez,
jsonline.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The unlawful taking of items from a machine or device that is operated or activated by the use of coins.—
Baltimore Sun staff,
Baltimore Sun,
30 Jan. 2026
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Mississippi officials have argued that the state law is not preempted, while the RNC has urged the high court to strike down the Magnolia State’s law, along with similar ones in other states, as unlawful.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In a separate January operation, the FBI Milwaukee Area Safe Streets Task Force executed five residential search warrants and arrested four Latin Kings members for drug trafficking and firearm possession charges, while seizing 10 firearms and more than $120,000 in illicit funds.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Since the dawn of time, the romance of railways has seduced poets, spellbound novelists, and dealt directors the perfect hand for capturing fleeting friendships, illicit affairs, and all manner of crimes and capers.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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In court, Wenger has accused prosecutors of targeting him for attempting to expose wrongdoing at the Antioch police department, but two juries convicted him of felonious crimes, including steroid distribution and conspiracy to violate civil rights.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The teen faced charges in Hamilton County Juvenile Court, including murder and felonious assault, and prosecutors had been seeking to send his case to adult court.—
Kevin Grasha,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Pillich has previously said the unit will be staffed with people from outside her office – which is different than a similar unit that her predecessor, Melissa Powers, announced in 2024 to evaluate wrongful conviction claims.—
Kevin Grasha,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Jan. 2026
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Last year, more Americans returned from wrongful detainment than in any of the previous 22 years, Richards said.—
Sam Tabachnik,
Denver Post,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminal. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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