as in offender
a person who is being sued or accused of a crime in a court of law
The jury believed that the defendant was guilty.
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Recent Examples of defendant
Weintraub’s and Cavallo’s law firms are defendants in the lawsuit, but the two attorneys have not been sued individually.
—
Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
The suit also names CaroMont Health as a defendant.
—Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
Attorneys for the defendants contend that the government doesn’t have the evidence to prove there was intent to join a criminal racketeering conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
The defendants are the city of Chula Vista, City Manager Tiffany Allen and councilmembers Michael Inzunza, Cesar Fernandez, Carolina Chavez and Jose Preciado.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for defendant
Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 May 2026
The suit also names CaroMont Health as a defendant.
—Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 13 May 2026
Attorneys for the defendants contend that the government doesn’t have the evidence to prove there was intent to join a criminal racketeering conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2026
The defendants are the city of Chula Vista, City Manager Tiffany Allen and councilmembers Michael Inzunza, Cesar Fernandez, Carolina Chavez and Jose Preciado.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for defendant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defendant
Noun
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Locations are chosen based on impaired-driving crashes, and first-time DUI offenders face average fines and penalties of $13,500.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2026
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The governor had publicly questioned whether Peters’ nine-year sentence was too hard for a first-time, nonviolent offender.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
15 May 2026
Noun
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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
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Set in Gaza in 2007, and following the misadventures of a student (Nader Abd Alhay) and restaurant owner and petty criminal (Majd Eid), the picture premiered in Un Certain Regard last year and won the Best Director prize.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
16 May 2026
Noun
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The sheriff's office added that there was no threat to the community and also no suspect at large.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
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Bonta argues Bianco violated state law and the attorney general’s authority by removing ballots from official custody without identifying a specific crime or suspect.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
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The trailer reveals the loss is that of her husband, who was killed; the perpetrator was never caught.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
11 May 2026
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Authorities were investigating the incident but did not elaborate on the perpetrator.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defendant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defendant. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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