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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 defendants
The Education and Justice departments, two of the top agencies named as defendants in the lawsuit, did not immediately return a request for comment.
—
Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025
The defendants reference Akeem Daniels, et al.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Mar. 2025
The discovery law creates a disincentive for defendants to take responsibility for their actions or to seek help, such as entering alcohol or drug treatment programs.
—Morgan Bitton, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2025
During the height of the pandemic, judges were in the courtroom, while attorneys and defendants appeared remotely.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025
Worst of all, those defendants are back in our communities, often re-offending.
—Morgan Bitton, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2025
These days, many attorneys and defendants now appear in person — but others still appear remotely for various reasons, streamlining court business and saving money.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025
The lawsuit, filed in Boone County Circuit Court, claims negligence by the fraternity led to Strain’s death and names the organization and individual members as defendants.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2025
The plaintiff’s attorney and representatives of the defendants did not immediately respond to The Star’s requests for comment Saturday.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2025
Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025
The defendants reference Akeem Daniels, et al.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 24 Mar. 2025
The discovery law creates a disincentive for defendants to take responsibility for their actions or to seek help, such as entering alcohol or drug treatment programs.
—Morgan Bitton, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2025
During the height of the pandemic, judges were in the courtroom, while attorneys and defendants appeared remotely.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025
Worst of all, those defendants are back in our communities, often re-offending.
—Morgan Bitton, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2025
These days, many attorneys and defendants now appear in person — but others still appear remotely for various reasons, streamlining court business and saving money.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2025
The lawsuit, filed in Boone County Circuit Court, claims negligence by the fraternity led to Strain’s death and names the organization and individual members as defendants.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2025
The plaintiff’s attorney and representatives of the defendants did not immediately respond to The Star’s requests for comment Saturday.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defendants
Noun
-
Sanctuary means anyone who is the victim of a crime or witness to crime should report it to the police and fully cooperate in the investigation to arrest and prosecute the offenders without worrying that an immigration problem will be the result of coming forward.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
5 Mar. 2025
-
In particular, bail reform policies that let low-level offenders back on the streets were repeatedly blamed for the rash of crimes.—
Michael Ruiz,
Fox News,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But even as the ways criminals use ransomware are set to evolve, the actual makeup of the technology isn’t expected to change too drastically in the coming years.—
Ryan Browne,
CNBC,
30 Dec. 2024
-
The regulation, which would require small businesses to disclose the identity of people who directly or indirectly own a control a company, is designed to prevent criminals from hiding illicit activity conducted through shell companies or opaque ownership structures, the Treasury said.—
Greg Iacurci,
CNBC,
30 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Defendants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defendants. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share