defendant

noun

Definition of defendantnext
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of defendant The defendant’s lawyers disputed that argument, asserting the evidence doesn’t prove Robinson’s motivation was connected to Kirk’s political or religious beliefs. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026 All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, conspiracy, child abuse and torture. — Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026 The defendants would then help the immigrants through the lawful permanent status application process. — ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026 Of the defendants, Cesar Morales was apportioned 60% of the fault, Arnold Morales 20% of the fault, Alvarez 5% of the fault and Harrison 15% of the fault. — Jason Green, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for defendant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defendant
  1. offender
  2. criminal
  3. suspect
  4. perpetrator
Noun
  • Dismissal of the charges follows 51-year-old Vem Miller’s completion of a county program that allows first-time, low-level offenders to have their criminal charges dropped and arrest records sealed after completing a set of requirements.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • If developmental science justifies treating adolescent offenders differently from adults, then that same science should also inform how Connecticut recognizes, protects, and supports adolescent victims.
    — Keith Wortz, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of offender
Noun
  • Spencer says filmmaker Douglas wanted to very much focus mostly on the women rather than talking about the criminals.
    — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Depending on the plan, monitoring may cover credit activity, financial accounts, investment and retirement accounts, phone takeovers, SIM swaps, utility accounts and other areas where criminals may try to use your identity.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of criminal
Noun
  • The surveillance footage shows the suspect driving behind the 33-year-old rider in the rightmost lane.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Several streets downtown were evacuated after Halifax Regional Police found a vehicle linked to the suspect, Ali Assakereh, parked near the consulate on Monday morning.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of suspect
Noun
  • Both gender critical feminists and trans activists have become locked in endless battles around safety and danger, victim versus perpetrator.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Artest climbed into the stands, intent on finding the perpetrator.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of perpetrator

Browse Nearby Words

defendable
defendant
defendants
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Cite this Entry

“Defendant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defendant. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on defendant

Nglish: Translation of defendant for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about defendant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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