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
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
-
Witnesses intervened, and the unknown offender left the scene in an unknown direction.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Jalloh has a lengthy history of stabbing residents across Fairfax County, his offender sheet shows.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
These laws make anyone who’s even a little gender nonconforming an object of suspicion, a potential criminal.—
Darren Rosenblum,
Mercury News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Many people copy cryptocurrency wallet addresses before sending digital currency, and those addresses can be valuable to criminals.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Authorities identified the suspect as Alain De Jesus Aguila-Martinez.—
Michelle Del Rey,
USA Today,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Greater dependence on the perpetrator has been linked with a greater likelihood of staying with an abusive partner a year after a police report of domestic violence.—
Anne P. DePrince,
The Conversation,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Knowingly or not, the state made a brilliant decision at the 1976 trial by presenting Charlie Mays as a victim, rather than a perpetrator, as the defense has always claimed.—
Gail Hollenbeck,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Defendant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defendant. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
