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
Fox News Digital reached out to the defendants for comment.
—
Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026
The defendants, identified in court records as Afatupetaiki Faasisila, 20, of San Bruno, Jose Herrada-Aragon, 20, of Concord, Andres Palestino, 19, of Concord, and Tom Parker Donegan, 19, of Fairfield, now face a federal indictment.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Under Florida’s constitution, defendants have a right to question and cross-examine their accusers.
—Gabriel Velasquez Neira, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
The team will help defendants establish eligibility for mental health diversion and ensure they are positioned for success in the program.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defendant
Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 11 Mar. 2026
The defendants, identified in court records as Afatupetaiki Faasisila, 20, of San Bruno, Jose Herrada-Aragon, 20, of Concord, Andres Palestino, 19, of Concord, and Tom Parker Donegan, 19, of Fairfield, now face a federal indictment.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026
Under Florida’s constitution, defendants have a right to question and cross-examine their accusers.
—Gabriel Velasquez Neira, Sun Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2026
The team will help defendants establish eligibility for mental health diversion and ensure they are positioned for success in the program.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for defendant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defendant
Noun
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Although when Brink was run from behind into the boards in the second period, Brock Faber took it upon himself to drop the gloves with the Vegas offender, earning a fighting major and a 10-minute misconduct.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
7 Mar. 2026
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Armond Langford, 32, is facing multiple charges including robbery, kidnapping, assault, wanton endangerment, fleeing/evading police, burglary and persistent felony offender.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Whatley said those policies threaten law enforcement officers and public safety, arguing that criminals belong behind bars and pledging to continue backing law enforcement.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
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The decisive action of the Mexican government is positive for families on both sides of the border who suffer the devastating consequences of the activities of these transnational criminals.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Chief Hughes said police are still investigating for a possible suspect or motive.—
FOX19 Digital Staff,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Mar. 2026
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The suspect, who has not been publicly identified, is being treated at Swedish, Cherry Hills Village police said.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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In most cases, the perpetrator was an intimate partner.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
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Investigation uncovered 75 Catholic clergy molested more than 300 children in Rhode Island since 1950, though actual victim and perpetrator numbers likely run much higher.—
Kimberlee Kruesi,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defendant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defendant. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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