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
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Recent Examples of criminal
Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 9 Nov. 2025
The debate over lasting solutions reveals the complexity of how criminal organizations have grown so powerful, weaving themselves into nearly every layer of Brazilian society over time.
—Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Trump supporters despised him, while some Democrats embraced him — if reluctantly — and still many others would always condemn him as a war criminal for his role in Iraq.
—Don Gonyea, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Adjective
Three of the 40 men interviewed by the New York Times faced criminal accusations beyond immigration and traffic offenses.
—Tamia Fowlkes, jsonline.com, 9 Nov. 2025
The debate over lasting solutions reveals the complexity of how criminal organizations have grown so powerful, weaving themselves into nearly every layer of Brazilian society over time.
—Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 9 Nov. 2025
Noun
The testimony law barring Black people from testifying against white people meant white criminals could, and did, rob and assault Black people with impunity.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Trump supporters despised him, while some Democrats embraced him — if reluctantly — and still many others would always condemn him as a war criminal for his role in Iraq.
—Don Gonyea, NPR, 4 Nov. 2025
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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While undergoing the months-long program, offenders participate in half-day programming and half-day work, school, or vocational activities.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The danger of restoring offenders has played out in less formal ways.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Christina Leona Cowens, 41, was initially arrested last week on suspicion of felony grand theft, along with misdemeanor counts of unlawful disposal of human remains and attempting to conceal a death.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
11 Nov. 2025
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Several organizations have sued the administration, saying the cancellations were unlawful and that they are owed thousands of dollars in outstanding expenses.—
NPR,
NPR,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Recent investigations like OpenLux and the 2017 series Panama Papers, however, reveal how bad actors also sometimes use these havens to launder illicit cash and evade taxes.—
Deena Sabry,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Sliwa, the Republican nominee, told Fox News Digital that a Mamdani mayoralty would expand prostitution and trafficking across the city and cement Roosevelt Avenue’s reputation as a red-light corridor of illicit activity and violence.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But police have requested that the Saginaw County Prosecutor’s Office file a felonious assault charge against her, per the outlet.—
Nicole Acosta,
PEOPLE,
7 Nov. 2025
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Breanna Wright is charged with murder, felonious assault and child endangerment for the death of 7-month-old Leylani Wright, Cincinnati police said.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The deployment has also raised concerns about racial profiling, wrongful arrests, and political pressure on law enforcement to align with federal immigration crackdowns.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
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Imm has successfully represented Cincinnati’s former fire chief in his wrongful termination lawsuit against the city and Long.—
Jennifer Edwards Baker,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminal. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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