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
Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 9 June 2025
The release identified 11 individuals ranging in age from 26 to 55 who have been arrested and are said to have criminal histories.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 8 June 2025
Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 9 June 2025
The arrests of people at nail salons, restaurants, construction sites and Home Depot illustrate that targeting dangerous criminals is not the Trump administration’s immigration policy.
—Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Adjective
The cases remain in the initial stages of investigation, with no certainty that any criminal charges will be pursued.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 9 June 2025
The release identified 11 individuals ranging in age from 26 to 55 who have been arrested and are said to have criminal histories.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 8 June 2025
Noun
Hamas views him as a criminal and has accused him of being an Israeli collaborator.
—Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 9 June 2025
The arrests of people at nail salons, restaurants, construction sites and Home Depot illustrate that targeting dangerous criminals is not the Trump administration’s immigration policy.
—Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
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
Adjective
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The man faces one count each of first-degree assault or attempted serious physical injury, armed criminal action, unlawful possession of a firearm, resisting arrest or detention by fleeing, and second-degree domestic assault.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
4 June 2025
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In 2022, Hemphill pleaded guilty to unlawful parading, a misdemeanor charge that got her two months in prison, three years of probation and a $500 fine.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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That included Vásquez's organization, which was about to receive a four-year, $2.5 million grant to continue fighting illicit activity that affects Indigenous people in the region.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 June 2025
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The operation allegedly generated more than $21.6 million in illicit proceeds.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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Jones-Ogletree, who also goes by Darnell Ogletree, is charged with murder, felonious assault and abduction.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Are they employees searching for wrongful termination help?—
JC Serrano,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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These choices also translate into needlessly long pre-trial stays in county jails, inappropriately long prison sentences, unnecessary appeals and tragically, wrongful convictions.—
Nick Schultz,
Oc Register,
29 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminal. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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