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
An allegation last year by a provincial police commander that top officers and officials were colluding with organized criminals led Ramaphosa to announce a national investigation into police corruption.
—
Michelle Gumede, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
Roman emperors, sometimes urged on by the crowd, were known to grant pardons (to criminals) and freedom (to the enslaved) after an especially noteworthy performance.
—Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026
Legitimate tools can become dangerous when criminals use them.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
The result is child foot soldiers hired as hitmen, becoming both the perpetrators of crime and the victims of criminals.
—ABC News, 12 June 2026
Indonesian authorities have vowed not to let the popular holiday island of Bali become a hideout for international criminals.
—CBS News, 11 June 2026
Rafay Baloch, a cybersecurity expert and author of the book Web Hacking Arsenal, says that criminals specifically look for travelers who appear disoriented.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Mears, who stepped into the prosecutor role in 2019, has long been the target of criticisms from Republicans who accused him of failing to seek tougher sentences for violent criminals.
—Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 5 June 2026
An erudite peek into the brains of both murderers and those who study them, Crazy, Not Insane takes you behind the true crime and into the minds of true criminals.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
Michelle Gumede, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2026
Roman emperors, sometimes urged on by the crowd, were known to grant pardons (to criminals) and freedom (to the enslaved) after an especially noteworthy performance.
—Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026
Legitimate tools can become dangerous when criminals use them.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
The result is child foot soldiers hired as hitmen, becoming both the perpetrators of crime and the victims of criminals.
—ABC News, 12 June 2026
Indonesian authorities have vowed not to let the popular holiday island of Bali become a hideout for international criminals.
—CBS News, 11 June 2026
Rafay Baloch, a cybersecurity expert and author of the book Web Hacking Arsenal, says that criminals specifically look for travelers who appear disoriented.
—Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Mears, who stepped into the prosecutor role in 2019, has long been the target of criticisms from Republicans who accused him of failing to seek tougher sentences for violent criminals.
—Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 5 June 2026
An erudite peek into the brains of both murderers and those who study them, Crazy, Not Insane takes you behind the true crime and into the minds of true criminals.
—James Mercadante, Entertainment Weekly, 4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminals
offenders
Noun
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The program, which is likely to run in the afternoons or evenings, and would be open anyone looking to change careers, returning veterans and ex-offenders, Awwad said.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2026
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All colors change under different lights, but white is one of the biggest offenders due to its highly reflective quality.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Criminals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminals. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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