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
Sebastian Jimenez, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
The District Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and declined to file criminal charges.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026
James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
Also for Task, Ingelsby required another actor to match Ruffalo and play Robbie, a thief who only steals for criminals.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 4 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Adjective
Although the country saw a break in violence between rebel groups and the government in the 10 years since the historic agreement between guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) and the government, criminal gang activity is rising.
—Sebastian Jimenez, CNN Money, 31 May 2026
The District Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and declined to file criminal charges.
—Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026
Noun
In this eerie true crime documentary, the relentless quest to unmask the elusive criminal is in full swing, with investigators sharing their insights (and one claiming to have identified the suspect).
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
Also for Task, Ingelsby required another actor to match Ruffalo and play Robbie, a thief who only steals for criminals.
—Justin Kroll, Deadline, 4 June 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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California Highway Patrol officers are assigned to the Express Lanes and those toll roads and can certainly see expired tags and choose to pull over offenders.—
Jim Radcliffe,
Oc Register,
29 May 2026
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Davis was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder and possession of a weapon by a previous offender.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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Multiple lawsuits from advocacy groups, Capitol police officers and others call the program unlawful and corrupt, as Congress presses acting Atty.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
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Kelly's mother, Barbara Renner, is charged with manslaughter, and her daughter, Elyssa Seymore, is charged with unlawful imprisonment.—
Mahsa Saeidi,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Adjective
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The goal of all this havoc is not to destroy democracy, according to Vergara—though that might be a welcome side effect, to some—but to torpedo the rule of law and thereby protect illicit financial gains.—
Daniel Alarcón,
New Yorker,
4 June 2026
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Barred from filming inside, the documentarians turned to activist inmates who documented incidents on illicit cellphones in an attempt to bring attention to the inhumane conditions.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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She was charged with felonious assault, reports 13 Action News.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2026
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Another woman, identified as 28-year-old Jessica Anderson, was arrested on the scene and charged with felonious assault, WTOL and WTVG reported, citing police.—
Kimberlee Speakman,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Velazquez has sued New York City for his wrongful murder conviction.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
2 June 2026
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Whistleblowers sued Paxton in November 2020 for wrongful termination and retaliation.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminal. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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