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
The five defendants face a minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison.
—
Brandon Downs, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Defense lawyers also claimed that four secret decrees Francis signed giving prosecutors wide-ranging powers to investigate violated the defendants' right to a fair trial.
—Nicole Winfield The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 18 Mar. 2026
That’s not unusual for drug court, which focuses more on finding treatment and services for defendants rather than punishment and prison time.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
An earlier version named as defendants Dixon’s estate, and Charles Patterson, allegedly the Cybertruck’s owner.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
Goodman dismissed the case, citing a pattern of unequal charging decisions against defendants of color, according to the petition.
—Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Mar. 2026
Sheriff’s corrections and court officials agreed that transporting in-custody defendants from upstairs cells to first-floor jail courtrooms remained the safest and simplest option.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026
The tribunal convicted eight other defendants of embezzlement, abuse of office, fraud and other charges.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
The defendants are accused of conspiring to steal $20 million in union funds for personal gain.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
Brandon Downs, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026
Defense lawyers also claimed that four secret decrees Francis signed giving prosecutors wide-ranging powers to investigate violated the defendants' right to a fair trial.
—Nicole Winfield The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 18 Mar. 2026
That’s not unusual for drug court, which focuses more on finding treatment and services for defendants rather than punishment and prison time.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
An earlier version named as defendants Dixon’s estate, and Charles Patterson, allegedly the Cybertruck’s owner.
—Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2026
Goodman dismissed the case, citing a pattern of unequal charging decisions against defendants of color, according to the petition.
—Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Mar. 2026
Sheriff’s corrections and court officials agreed that transporting in-custody defendants from upstairs cells to first-floor jail courtrooms remained the safest and simplest option.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 17 Mar. 2026
The tribunal convicted eight other defendants of embezzlement, abuse of office, fraud and other charges.
—ABC News, 17 Mar. 2026
The defendants are accused of conspiring to steal $20 million in union funds for personal gain.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defendants
Noun
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At the same time, Connecticut continues to pursue criminal justice reforms aimed at reducing incarceration and expanding diversionary opportunities for offenders.—
Keith Wortz,
Hartford Courant,
13 Mar. 2026
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The state's attorney's office is also trying to prevent deaths by requesting detention for felony domestic battery offenders at a much higher rate.—
Megan De Mar,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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That way, even if your data circulates, criminals have a harder time breaking in.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
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By demanding justice and dignity for the drug-war dead, were nuns, priests, pastors, and other sympathizers not protecting criminals?—
Sheila Coronel,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
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 21 Mar. 2026.
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