criminality

noun

ˌkri-mə-ˈna-lə-tē How to pronounce criminality (audio)
Definition of criminalitynext
as in crime
activities that are in violation of the laws of the state a report on the drop in criminality in large urban centers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of criminality That case did not involve any allegations of criminality or wrongdoing by Newsom or his wife. — Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 15 June 2026 Both Dodington and Blanton praised the state for treating violence as a public health problem rather than an issue of criminality. — Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 13 June 2026 That politicians and governments and banks and other far-reaching institutions do not face the consequences of their criminality. — Literary Hub, 10 June 2026 Police said there was no criminality associated with Hooper’s disappearance. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for criminality
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminality
crime
Noun
  • The resident, who asked not to be identified, said that crime and other types of violence in the area have become increasingly common since the COVID-19 pandemic.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 July 2026
  • While following the money may be difficult, there are other signs of the growing role of organized crime in politics.
    — Mary Beth Sheridan, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
Definition of crime

Browse Nearby Words

criminal courts
criminality
criminalize
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Criminality.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminality. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of aerie

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
chain-question-mark
Missing Link Quiz July 2026 Five seconds to figure out the word that fits bot...
See All