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
Both the defendants and the plaintiff have pointed to a turbulent home life for Kaley.
—
Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
Attorneys for the defendants say it was supposed to be a peaceful noise demonstration turned wrong when an officer was shot during an altercation with a protester.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2026
Both the defendants and the plaintiff have pointed to a turbulent home life for Kaley.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Attorneys for the other remaining defendants expressed similar views.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
The suit also named Anthony, as well as former detectives Fitzgerald, Strasser, Larry Hennick and Bill Willson, through his estate, as defendants sued in their individual capacities.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
The four defendants on trial are Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla, and James Solages.
—Tania Francois, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Under Florida’s constitution, defendants have a right to question and cross-examine their accusers.
—Gabriel Velasquez Neira, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
All of the defendants were ordered to attend a status conference in the case Wednesday in federal court in Brooklyn.
—Tom Winter, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
Attorneys for the defendants say it was supposed to be a peaceful noise demonstration turned wrong when an officer was shot during an altercation with a protester.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Mar. 2026
Both the defendants and the plaintiff have pointed to a turbulent home life for Kaley.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Attorneys for the other remaining defendants expressed similar views.
—Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 12 Mar. 2026
The suit also named Anthony, as well as former detectives Fitzgerald, Strasser, Larry Hennick and Bill Willson, through his estate, as defendants sued in their individual capacities.
—Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 12 Mar. 2026
The four defendants on trial are Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago, Walter Veintemilla, and James Solages.
—Tania Francois, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2026
Under Florida’s constitution, defendants have a right to question and cross-examine their accusers.
—Gabriel Velasquez Neira, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
All of the defendants were ordered to attend a status conference in the case Wednesday in federal court in Brooklyn.
—Tom Winter, NBC news, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defendants
Noun
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Creuzot, a former state district judge and pioneer of diversion programs that steer low-level offenders from prison into rehabilitation programs, ran on his record.—
Gromer Jeffers Jr,
Dallas Morning News,
9 Mar. 2026
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The offenders forcefully entered the home, in the 700 block of Rosewood Avenue, after one of them posed as a food delivery worker to gain access to the home, Winnetka police said.—
Pioneer Press,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Whatley said those policies threaten law enforcement officers and public safety, arguing that criminals belong behind bars and pledging to continue backing law enforcement.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
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The decisive action of the Mexican government is positive for families on both sides of the border who suffer the devastating consequences of the activities of these transnational criminals.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 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 13 Mar. 2026.
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