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.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 sentence demand had been scheduled to be read in court, but it could not be read in the defendants’ absence.
—
Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Beyond Song and Morris, who is referred to as Bradford Morris in the indictment, the defendants are Autumn Hill, referred to as Cameron Arnold in the indictment, Zachary Evetts, Savanna Batten, Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, Ines Soto and Daniel Rolando Sanchez Estrada.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated February 25, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2026
The case is being heard in the California Superior Court of Los Angeles County, with Meta -- Facebook and Instagram's parent company -- and YouTube, which is owned by Google, moving forward as defendants.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
The News’ former parent company was among the groups named with Washburne’s company as defendants in the case.
—Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defendant
Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Beyond Song and Morris, who is referred to as Bradford Morris in the indictment, the defendants are Autumn Hill, referred to as Cameron Arnold in the indictment, Zachary Evetts, Savanna Batten, Maricela Rueda, Elizabeth Soto, Ines Soto and Daniel Rolando Sanchez Estrada.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated February 25, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2026
The case is being heard in the California Superior Court of Los Angeles County, with Meta -- Facebook and Instagram's parent company -- and YouTube, which is owned by Google, moving forward as defendants.
—Mason Leib, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026
The News’ former parent company was among the groups named with Washburne’s company as defendants in the case.
—Everton Bailey Jr, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defendant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defendant
Noun
-
According to multiple people briefed on the discussions, the committee could propose to remove the carryover suspension part of the punishment for first-time offenders on second-half targeting penalties, leaving in place a 15-yard penalty and ejection.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2026
-
What emerged, Jackson told the court Thursday, was the portrait of a transient and calculating offender who operated across multiple states and evaded law enforcement for years.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill, ICE has new funding to expand detention space to keep these criminals off American streets before they are removed for good from our communities.—
Jeff Capellini,
CBS News,
20 Feb. 2026
-
His office is more concerned about arresting police officers than prosecuting criminals.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Investigators are analyzing biological evidence found at Guthrie's residence, according to the Pima County Sheriff's Department, which previously said that DNA gathered at the scene could potentially belong to the suspect.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Police had earlier ruled out the man as a possible suspect because he was thought to have been jailed at the time of the homicide.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Polish authorities said that the perpetrator was from the Middle East but never revealed his identity.—
Elizabeth Flock,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
-
In lieu of jail time a judge may order the perpetrator to perform community service, which could include receiving counseling, treatment for substance use disorders or mental health issues.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defendant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defendant. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
