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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My office will continue to work alongside law enforcement partners like the Antioch Police Department to hold armed offenders accountable and pursue justice on behalf of all those harmed.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
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Lawrence Reed is a lifetime offender who was put on an ankle monitor.—
Michael Tobin,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Noun
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However, Connecticut Citizens Defense League President Holly Sullivan told Fox News Digital that statewide Democrats chose to go after law-abiding citizens instead of criminals by passing this piece of legislation.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
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Immigration policy is destroying the lives of families, not criminals.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Noun
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Inver Grove Heights police are asking anyone who lives in the area and has outdoor cameras to check them for video of the incident or the suspect.—
Mara H. Gottfried,
Twin Cities,
8 May 2026
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Contacted by deputies, the person at the campground said that the suspect had charged at him while holding a running chainsaw.—
Bay Area News Group,
Mercury News,
8 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 16 May. 2026.
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