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
Our research suggests that the vast majority of Republican voters want to close loopholes that allow criminals and dangerous people to get their hands on guns.
—
Gabby Giffords, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
The days of letting dangerous criminals terrorize American citizens are over.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Local leaders like Wences claim immigrants are wrongfully being detained by federal agents looking to root out violent criminals.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Surveillance video of Zarutska's stabbing has gone viral, sparking debate about how criminals are handled and public safety.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Lawmakers in many states have changed the rules in recent decades to protect winners from being targeted by criminals and unscrupulous people asking for money.
—Safiyah Riddle, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
Her Eco-Age consultancy, targeted by criminals and forced to close in 2024 after 17 years in business, had advised clients on industry developments, changes to government policies and practical guidance on how to avoid greenwashing.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
The data included in this data breach included names, addresses, birth dates, Social Security numbers and more, all of which can readily be used by criminals for costly identity theft.
—Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
With its buzzy energy and sympathetic — if bumbling — criminals, Lumet withholds crucial information from the viewer until the final portion of the film.
—Christina Newland, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Gabby Giffords, Time, 11 Sep. 2025
The days of letting dangerous criminals terrorize American citizens are over.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
Local leaders like Wences claim immigrants are wrongfully being detained by federal agents looking to root out violent criminals.
—Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Surveillance video of Zarutska's stabbing has gone viral, sparking debate about how criminals are handled and public safety.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Lawmakers in many states have changed the rules in recent decades to protect winners from being targeted by criminals and unscrupulous people asking for money.
—Safiyah Riddle, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2025
Her Eco-Age consultancy, targeted by criminals and forced to close in 2024 after 17 years in business, had advised clients on industry developments, changes to government policies and practical guidance on how to avoid greenwashing.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2025
The data included in this data breach included names, addresses, birth dates, Social Security numbers and more, all of which can readily be used by criminals for costly identity theft.
—Steve Weisman, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
With its buzzy energy and sympathetic — if bumbling — criminals, Lumet withholds crucial information from the viewer until the final portion of the film.
—Christina Newland, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminals
offenders
Noun
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Biden’s autopen signature was used to issue major clemency orders in the final two months of his term that affected more than 4,000 individuals, including drug offenders and those placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
9 Sep. 2025
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Produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order examines the criminal justice system and tells the stories of the police who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Criminals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminals. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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