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
He was released on a personal recognizance bond before a federal grand jury in Minnesota returned the indictment against him and eight co-defendants, all of whom are also named in Doucette’s lawsuit.
—
Isabel Yip, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
On Wednesday, supporters of the defendants gathered outside the federal courthouse, distributing fliers to passersby.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
Song and the other defendants were motivated by the position that the migrants who are detained at the ICE center are political prisoners, Smith asserted.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated February 26, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Feb. 2026
Most of the defendants pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy and cyberstalking and were later sentenced to prison terms or home confinement.
—Leah Willingham, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
The sentence demand had been scheduled to be read in court, but it could not be read in the defendants’ absence.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
On Monday, a judge issued a temporary restraining order that presumably prevents the defendants from altering or destroying any evidence at the refinery.
—Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026
Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images Attorneys are looking to put a stop to the investigation and have Joslin immediately reinstated to the National Park Service, which is among the defendants listed in the lawsuit.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Stancil, in turn, sued Barnes in federal court, later adding County Attorney Stephen Swanson and employees in the auditor’s and sheriff's offices as defendants, alleging retaliation against her political speech.
—Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 19 Feb. 2026
Isabel Yip, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
On Wednesday, supporters of the defendants gathered outside the federal courthouse, distributing fliers to passersby.
—Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 26 Feb. 2026
Song and the other defendants were motivated by the position that the migrants who are detained at the ICE center are political prisoners, Smith asserted.
—Emerson Clarridge
updated February 26, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Feb. 2026
Most of the defendants pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy and cyberstalking and were later sentenced to prison terms or home confinement.
—Leah Willingham, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026
The sentence demand had been scheduled to be read in court, but it could not be read in the defendants’ absence.
—Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2026
On Monday, a judge issued a temporary restraining order that presumably prevents the defendants from altering or destroying any evidence at the refinery.
—Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026
Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images Attorneys are looking to put a stop to the investigation and have Joslin immediately reinstated to the National Park Service, which is among the defendants listed in the lawsuit.
—Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Stancil, in turn, sued Barnes in federal court, later adding County Attorney Stephen Swanson and employees in the auditor’s and sheriff's offices as defendants, alleging retaliation against her political speech.
—Nick El Hajj, Des Moines Register, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defendants
Noun
-
Over the last several years, changes in the law and an evolving approach regarding youth offenders cleared the way for Williams to ask to have his sentence vacated on the grounds that it could be considered de facto life without parole.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Now, the rules committee might propose removing that carryover suspension for first-time offenders, on the basis that an ejection is plenty harsh and doesn’t need to affect an unrelated game.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill, ICE has new funding to expand detention space to keep these criminals off American streets before they are removed for good from our communities.—
Jeff Capellini,
CBS News,
20 Feb. 2026
-
His office is more concerned about arresting police officers than prosecuting criminals.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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 28 Feb. 2026.
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