Synonyms of criminals

criminals

noun

plural of criminal

as in offenders

a person who has committed a crime

car thieves, pickpockets, burglars, and other criminals

Synonyms & Similar Words

• offenders
• lawbreakers
• culprits
• defendants
• crooks
• malefactors
• miscreants
• perpetrators
• guns
• accomplices
• outlaws
• thugs
• convicts
• suspects
• villains
• gangsters
• misdemeanants
• principals
• desperadoes
• jailbirds
• hoodlums
• trespassers
• sinners
• racketeers
• wrongdoers
• mobsters
• perps
• hooligans
• transgressors
• recidivists
• fish
• evildoers
• backsliders
• arrestees
• detainees
• triggermen
• enforcers
• misdoers
• gunmen
• gunsels
• blackhanders
• misfeasors
• button men
• gallows birds
• accused
• repeaters
• relapsers
• hit men

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• lawmen
• gangbusters

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of criminals

Removing violent criminals, gang members, cartel members and those who refuse to work is wise and popular policy. — Don Bacon, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2026

Americans have demonized us as criminals, buffoons, lechers, invaders, criminals and job stealers since the fall of the Alamo. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026

The scam is basic — criminals contact seniors, scare them into giving up their savings, then direct victims to a local crypto ATM to pour cash into the machine. — Mike Ryan, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026

And no data removal service can pull information back once criminals already have it. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

As Elsbeth teams up with the New York Police Department to catch the city’s most clever criminals, the trailer also teases clips of guest stars Jemima Kirke, Nicole Scherzinger, Nicholas Braun and New York Knicks star OG Anunoby. — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026

Trump, his family and his wealthy cronies are criminals spending taxpayers’ money and taking it with their underhanded deals with our enemies. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026

Throughout his career, Zahnd was known as a tough-on-crime prosecutor who was feared by criminals and popular with voters. — Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 18 Sep. 2026

Charlie Hunnam is assessing different notorious criminals from American history. — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2026