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
Hanna Park, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
Cartels have been using drones and more elaborate weapons for years to wage war, a sign of how entrenched the conflict is in regions like Guerrero, where the criminal groups have splintered into rival factions.
—Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Kapelovitz appears to be excessively focused on restoring even the worst criminals.
—Rafael Perez, Daily News, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Adjective
When he was released, Park said Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were waiting for him due to a removal order issued by an immigration judge the year prior as a result of his criminal convictions, court records provided by his attorney showed.
—Hanna Park, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
Cartels have been using drones and more elaborate weapons for years to wage war, a sign of how entrenched the conflict is in regions like Guerrero, where the criminal groups have splintered into rival factions.
—Megan Janetsky, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Noun
Villaraigosa countered that the law allows for violent criminals to be deported and that thousands have been by state and local law enforcement agencies.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 2026
Kapelovitz appears to be excessively focused on restoring even the worst criminals.
—Rafael Perez, Daily News, 7 May 2026
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
-
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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My office will continue to work alongside law enforcement partners like the Antioch Police Department to hold armed offenders accountable and pursue justice on behalf of all those harmed.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
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Lawrence Reed is a lifetime offender who was put on an ankle monitor.—
Michael Tobin,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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A’Jonya Shorter, 18, is charged with dangerous possession of a firearm, a Level 5 felony; possession of a firearm on school property, a Level 6 felony; and misdemeanor unlawful carrying of a handgun.—
Meredith Colias-Pete,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
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The money, hidden in furniture, was never reported through standard police channels, prompting the former intelligence chief in 2022 to file a criminal complaint alleging a cover-up, money laundering, and unlawful use of Ramaphosa’s bodyguards to track down suspects.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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And while the medical community rejected the compounds, today’s illicit drug manufacturers have revived nitazenes in a far more concentrated and hazardous form.—
Josh Meyer,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
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Reporters crowded around Scott, asking him about Becerra and whether the candidate knew about the illicit arrangement.—
Dakota Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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The Kent County Sheriff's Office says that on April 7, the Patrol and Investigative Divisions attempted to stop the 39-year-old driver from Kent County, who was wanted for a felonious assault the night before.—
DeJanay Booth-Singleton,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
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Last year, the number of officers killed decreased, both in terms of officers killed as a result of felonious acts and those killed accidentally.—
Kenneth D. Robinson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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The ex-staffer is accusing Jenner, 28, of various abuses during her employment, including wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, failure to pay wages and intentional infliction of emotional distress.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
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Eldan's organization worked with a state senator to help write and pass a law in Delaware that provides compensation for wrongful imprisonment, as well as a stipend and help with housing, food benefits, and health and dental insurance.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminal. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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