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
According to court records, her pending case has been ordered sealed by a judge — which can be done in cases when a defendant applies for a diversionary program.
—
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
The charges allege that over 15 years, Newton Jones and Creeden led the defendants in engaging in widespread embezzlement of Boilermakers’ funds.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
Defense lawyers also alleged that four secret decrees Francis signed giving prosecutors wide-ranging powers to investigate violated the defendants' right to a fair trial.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
Defense lawyers also alleged that four secret decrees Francis signed giving prosecutors wide-ranging powers to investigate violated the defendants’ right to a fair trial.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defendant
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 18 Mar. 2026
The charges allege that over 15 years, Newton Jones and Creeden led the defendants in engaging in widespread embezzlement of Boilermakers’ funds.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
Defense lawyers also alleged that four secret decrees Francis signed giving prosecutors wide-ranging powers to investigate violated the defendants' right to a fair trial.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
Defense lawyers also alleged that four secret decrees Francis signed giving prosecutors wide-ranging powers to investigate violated the defendants’ right to a fair trial.
—Nicole Winfield, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defendant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defendant
Noun
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Last year, the county sued NaphCare for its alleged role in the death of Brandon Yates, who was murdered in the Central Jail in 2024 after being wrongly placed into a cell with a violent offender.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
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Police said an offender is in custody and a weapon was recovered.—
Madeline King,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That way, even if your data circulates, criminals have a harder time breaking in.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
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By demanding justice and dignity for the drug-war dead, were nuns, priests, pastors, and other sympathizers not protecting criminals?—
Sheila Coronel,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Investigators say the suspect is a non‑student who may be approaching people near the Music Building while pretending to be a student.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
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Authorities identified the suspect as Alain De Jesus Aguila-Martinez.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In late 2024, country star Zach Bryan had to stop a show at the Tacoma Dome after an item was tossed onstage and struck one of his on-stage guests, addressing the crowd directly to demand the perpetrator be identified.—
Jessica Lynch,
Billboard,
15 Mar. 2026
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Despite news coverage seen by millions of people across the country, no one has come forward as a witness or perpetrator.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defendant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defendant. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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