as in offenders
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 defendants
Three other defendants initially listed in Zwerner's complaint -- two school administrators and the Newport News School Board -- were dismissed from the lawsuit ahead of the civil trial.
—
Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
When a sheriff shot two of the defendants, one fatally, before they could be retried, Moore called for him to be suspended and charged with murder.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Questions over repairs to agent's vehicle Exum testified about driving his vehicle to Maine after the incident, where repairs were made by a CBP mechanic before the defendants could examine the vehicle.
—Reuters, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
The issue could be addressed at Bolton’s next hearing on November 21, and the outcome may shape how future courts balance defendants’ access needs against strict national security requirements.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
The five defendants are each charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and alprazolam resulting in the three deaths, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2025
The suit accuses the defendants of working with online trolls and YouTube creators to paint him in a false light.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
All of the defendants have denied making defamatory statements about Clemishire.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2025
One of the defendants, Ievgen Krachun, was identified as the person who oversaw the gambling as it was allegedly being committed inside the home, according to the indictment.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2025
When a sheriff shot two of the defendants, one fatally, before they could be retried, Moore called for him to be suspended and charged with murder.
—Equal Justice Initiative, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Questions over repairs to agent's vehicle Exum testified about driving his vehicle to Maine after the incident, where repairs were made by a CBP mechanic before the defendants could examine the vehicle.
—Reuters, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2025
The issue could be addressed at Bolton’s next hearing on November 21, and the outcome may shape how future courts balance defendants’ access needs against strict national security requirements.
—Robert Alexander, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
The five defendants are each charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and alprazolam resulting in the three deaths, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
—Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Nov. 2025
The suit accuses the defendants of working with online trolls and YouTube creators to paint him in a false light.
—Gene Maddaus, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
All of the defendants have denied making defamatory statements about Clemishire.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2025
One of the defendants, Ievgen Krachun, was identified as the person who oversaw the gambling as it was allegedly being committed inside the home, according to the indictment.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defendants
Noun
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The laws expand on prior legislation by increasing penalties for offenders and allowing vehicles to be towed for reckless driving.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
5 Nov. 2025
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Police Chief Johnny Jennings decried repeat criminal offenders and said Mecklenburg County again needs a detention facility for teenagers during a lunch in south Charlotte on Tuesday.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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To suggest that another candidate’s supporters are criminals — particularly when that candidate is, by all measures, poised to win at least a plurality of votes in the city — does not seem like a recipe for earning New Yorkers’ support.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Binance also lacked protocols — standard for financial services companies — to report transactions for money laundering risks, according to the Justice Department, and employees were well aware that such an oversight would invite criminals to the platform.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Deem fired his weapon at the suspects, but no injuries were reported, and the disturbance suspect has not been apprehended.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
2 Oct. 2025
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One of the suspects was found guilty of first-degree murder in June 2021, among a list of other charges, while the other suspect pleaded guilty in early 2020 to 17 counts, including murder charges.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Defendants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defendants. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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