1
as in criminals
a person who has committed a crime
a guy at the bar was raving about how all politicians are basically crooks
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in curves
something that curves or is curved
carried the baby in the crook of her arm
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in bends
to cause to turn away from a straight line
crooked a finger
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in trends
to turn away from a straight line or course
the road suddenly crooked to the left
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of crooks
Jermont Terry, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
Against Maduro and his crooks, who turn our country into a humanitarian crisis.
—David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
The crooks of The Killing have pretty much anticipated everything — but the sheer unpredictability of human nature still destroys them.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
For early summer, there are beets with brown butter and poppy seeds, to dye gemelli a vibrant magenta; as fall approaches, green lentil ragù with roasted cherry tomatoes, to get caught in the crooks of cascatelli.
—Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2025
For these two professional crooks, however, that means squaring their desire for an everyday home life with chasing big scores and brutal murder.
—Jesse Raub, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2025
Hopkins later gets shot while trying to apprehend the crooks and gets a visit from the ladies while in the hospital.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Set in Los Angeles, the film will chart how a single crime weaves together the lives of a TV host, his restless wife, a country music idol, two small-time crooks and an ex-con, all of whom are chasing the promise of a better life.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
Le Parisien reported that the crooks made off with nine pieces of Napoleon and the Empress’ jewelry collection; on Sunday, only one item had reportedly been found — the Empress’ crown.
—Claire Cameron, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
But hopes that the punch was a wake-up call to the crooks.
—Jermont Terry, CBS News, 15 Jan. 2026
Against Maduro and his crooks, who turn our country into a humanitarian crisis.
—David Unsworth, FOXNews.com, 3 Jan. 2026
The crooks of The Killing have pretty much anticipated everything — but the sheer unpredictability of human nature still destroys them.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 Dec. 2025
For early summer, there are beets with brown butter and poppy seeds, to dye gemelli a vibrant magenta; as fall approaches, green lentil ragù with roasted cherry tomatoes, to get caught in the crooks of cascatelli.
—Hannah Goldfield, New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2025
For these two professional crooks, however, that means squaring their desire for an everyday home life with chasing big scores and brutal murder.
—Jesse Raub, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2025
Hopkins later gets shot while trying to apprehend the crooks and gets a visit from the ladies while in the hospital.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Set in Los Angeles, the film will chart how a single crime weaves together the lives of a TV host, his restless wife, a country music idol, two small-time crooks and an ex-con, all of whom are chasing the promise of a better life.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
Le Parisien reported that the crooks made off with nine pieces of Napoleon and the Empress’ jewelry collection; on Sunday, only one item had reportedly been found — the Empress’ crown.
—Claire Cameron, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crooks
Noun
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In a news release announcing the signature petition, backers of the measure featured quotes from prominent Colorado and national Democrats supporting deporting violent criminals, though none have apparently endorsed this specific measure.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
-
This is the justification for the administration’s desire to deport criminals, persons who have truly harmed others by breaking laws.—
Scott Santarosa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The European Rail Traffic Management System, now rolling out across the continent and beyond, gives them real-time target speeds, illustrations of braking curves and line status information many miles ahead, allowing for smoother, safer and more energy-efficient operations.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Avoid accelerating on bridges, icy patches or curves.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Drunk on power The arc of tyranny bends toward degradation.—
David Brooks,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Which bends, the man or the law?—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The forecast trends much warmer across Maryland Following a noticeably more comfortable Tuesday afternoon, the warming trend continues through the middle of the workweek.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Notably, sperm count and motility have dropped significantly since the 1950s, trends some studies link to environmental pollutants like microplastics and pesticides.—
Thomas Westerholm,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Castillo said the solution requires leadership, coordination and a return to focused enforcement that prioritizes violent criminal offenders over broad street operations that escalate confrontation.—
Stepheny Price , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
In fact, reconciliation was often ill-advised, especially if offenders had not expressed remorse or commitment to any type of meaningful change.—
Richard Balkin,
The Conversation,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Its outstanding appeal, grandish curvatures and extraordinary interior design are just the norm for the upscale interior brand.—
Marc D. Grasso,
Boston Herald,
18 Sep. 2025
-
Posture Changes Spine curvatures can make standing up straight difficult, causing lower right back pain.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Aussie newcomer Yerin Ha is the juggernaut's new leading lady—a strong yet soft pragmatist whose quiet charisma hooks Benedict, the ton, and, soon enough, audiences everywhere.—
InStyle,
InStyle,
20 Jan. 2026
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Start with your transformation story that hooks from line one.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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As artificial intelligence sweeps through healthcare, the victors will not be determined by who deploys the cleverest chatbot.—
Sahar Hashmi,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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As the use of AI and automation sweeps across corporate America, distribution center jobs are expected to take a hit.—
Sara Eisen,Gabrielle Fonrouge,Jessica Golden,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Crooks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crooks. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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