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
Federal sentencing guidelines generally call for probation for defendants like her, who have no criminal history and are convicted of a nonviolent crime.
—
CBS News, 17 June 2026
In the suit — which names CBS TV Studios, Matlock EPs Nicki Renna and Jeffrey Lieber as defendants, along with Urman — Lowe says he was pressured to take a dog of the showrunner’s with the implication that his job depended on it.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 17 June 2026
Such a defense is often used in cases where a defendant acts in the heat of the moment, such as finding their spouse cheating on them.
—Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
That type of plea carries the weight of a guilty plea but allows a defendant to not admit guilt while understanding that there was enough evidence for a jury to convict.
—Shannon Tyler
june 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defendant
CBS News, 17 June 2026
In the suit — which names CBS TV Studios, Matlock EPs Nicki Renna and Jeffrey Lieber as defendants, along with Urman — Lowe says he was pressured to take a dog of the showrunner’s with the implication that his job depended on it.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 17 June 2026
Such a defense is often used in cases where a defendant acts in the heat of the moment, such as finding their spouse cheating on them.
—Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 17 June 2026
That type of plea carries the weight of a guilty plea but allows a defendant to not admit guilt while understanding that there was enough evidence for a jury to convict.
—Shannon Tyler
june 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for defendant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defendant
Noun
-
The offender fled in a red SUV in an unknown direction.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
14 June 2026
-
The program, which is likely to run in the afternoons or evenings, and would be open anyone looking to change careers, returning veterans and ex-offenders, Awwad said.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2026
Noun
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An allegation last year by a provincial police commander that top officers and officials were colluding with organized criminals led Ramaphosa to announce a national investigation into police corruption.—
Michelle Gumede,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
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Roman emperors, sometimes urged on by the crowd, were known to grant pardons (to criminals) and freedom (to the enslaved) after an especially noteworthy performance.—
Cullen Murphy,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
Noun
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The plot was foiled when a suspect’s mother alerted police, court documents said.—
Robert Abitbol,
USA Today,
20 June 2026
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The shootings, which police suspect were committed by one man, left one person dead and four people injured.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Disinformation and harassment campaigns mounted from both sides; family members of both victim and perpetrator were targeted.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
12 June 2026
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After the leaker was discovered, Bravo released a statement and confirmed that the perpetrator had been fired.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defendant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defendant. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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