defendants

noun

plural of defendant
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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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 Two defendants who have been granted bail sat with their attorneys. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026 His girlfriend, Syanna Ruiz, held their child in court, demanding the defendants remain behind bars. — Madisen Keavy, CBS News, 2 July 2026 While most of the defendants who were sentenced Wednesday entered plea agreements, others who were convicted at trial are appealing their cases, their supporters said. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 July 2026 How the climbing couple got past security Prosecutors told the judge on July 2 that the defendants had trespassed overnight in the building before making the climb. — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 2 July 2026 In court documents, O’Hara alleged the defendants violated his First and Fourth Amendment rights, accusing them of unlawfully restricting free speech and initiating an unlawful seizure while using excessive force. — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026 Named as defendants are the two deputies involved that day, Jacob Sebren and Hope Hearn along with Undersheriff Kelly Lowe, the Warsaw-Lincoln Ambulance District and Paramedic Kendra Zeiset. — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defendants
  1. offenders
  2. criminals
  3. suspects
Noun
  • Independence Day celebrations come in the most challenging threat environment since 9/11, with the ongoing terror threat, a rise in political violence and continuing fears about lone-wolf offenders, according to Raia.
    — Luke Barr, ABC News, 3 July 2026
  • There were also concerns listed in the analysis that the registry, which dates back to 1947, could include LGBTQ+ offenders from decades ago who were convicted of offenses that are no longer crimes.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of offenders
Noun
  • Supporters will argue that criminals should not be able to hide behind wallets.
    — Susie Violet Ward, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • And just like Alito, some members of my family have forgotten our history and support Trump or favor some of his immigration policies, dismissing new arrivals as criminals or lazy.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of criminals
Noun
  • Two suspects hit several businesses in the Fairfax District early Tuesday morning, with one suspect in police custody.
    — Julie Sharp, CBS News, 6 May 2026
  • 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
Definition of suspects

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Cite this Entry

“Defendants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defendants. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on defendants

Nglish: Translation of defendants for Spanish Speakers

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