as in offenders
a person who has committed a crime
car thieves, pickpockets, burglars, and other criminals
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Recent Examples of criminals
When unhoused people are treated as criminals, they are pushed into an identity of exclusion rather than belonging.
—
Shianne Leclaire, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
That’s the job of law enforcement, who make arrests, judges who sentence criminals to pay for their crimes, and a parole board that cares about public safety.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
Sometimes there’s this idea that people in jail are dangerous criminals.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
The season 27 finale begins with Captain Benson and her SVU squad learning the devastating truth that one of their most dangerous criminals — a serial child kidnapper and killer Richard Caine — was released from custody as a result of a procedural mistake.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
The taskforce was originally launched in Houston on October 1, 2025, and the operation led to the arrest of more than 700 repeat offenders who were high-threat criminals and gang members, as well as the confiscation of more than 200,000 doses of fentanyl.
—Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 14 May 2026
However, Connecticut Citizens Defense League President Holly Sullivan told Fox News Digital that statewide Democrats chose to go after law-abiding citizens instead of criminals by passing this piece of legislation.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
Because of this, lawyers have now become the target, transformed from counsel to accused, and from constitutionalists to criminals.
—Irwin Cotler, Time, 8 May 2026
The likelihood that criminals have now found their way inside post offices could erode public trust in the government agency.
—J.d. Miles, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Shianne Leclaire, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
That’s the job of law enforcement, who make arrests, judges who sentence criminals to pay for their crimes, and a parole board that cares about public safety.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
Sometimes there’s this idea that people in jail are dangerous criminals.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
The season 27 finale begins with Captain Benson and her SVU squad learning the devastating truth that one of their most dangerous criminals — a serial child kidnapper and killer Richard Caine — was released from custody as a result of a procedural mistake.
—Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026
The taskforce was originally launched in Houston on October 1, 2025, and the operation led to the arrest of more than 700 repeat offenders who were high-threat criminals and gang members, as well as the confiscation of more than 200,000 doses of fentanyl.
—Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 14 May 2026
However, Connecticut Citizens Defense League President Holly Sullivan told Fox News Digital that statewide Democrats chose to go after law-abiding citizens instead of criminals by passing this piece of legislation.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
Because of this, lawyers have now become the target, transformed from counsel to accused, and from constitutionalists to criminals.
—Irwin Cotler, Time, 8 May 2026
The likelihood that criminals have now found their way inside post offices could erode public trust in the government agency.
—J.d. Miles, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminals
offenders
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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The most effective way to deter criminal behavior is increasing the perception that would-be offenders will certainly get caught and sanctioned.—
Sarah Anderson,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Criminals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminals. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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