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 National Park Service is named as one of the defendants in the suit, and environmental groups and former park service staff have decried the event.
—
Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Some of those include defendants facing serious charges, like Javonte Robinson, who in November allegedly stabbed a man to death in Boston after his charges for possession of a dangerous weapon were dismissed under the protocol in October.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026
The defendants include Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykda and the Puyallup School District and multiple school employees.
—Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
Additionally, five of the defendants are scheduled to appear for a detention hearing on Friday.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Among the defendants are the Getty Villa, SoCalGas, Southern California Edison, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and three communications companies.
—Tony Saavedra, Daily News, 10 June 2026
In one of the fraud allegations, authorities alleged that the two companies and some defendants conspired together to defraud the apartment owners of Wang Fuk Court by concealing previous litigation records of Prestige and inflating the score given to the firm in a tender analysis report.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
Tyson is requesting an Arthur hearing, which allows judges to consider setting bonds for defendants charged with crimes that aren’t normally eligible for bail.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Even though the laws charged in Comey’s case are generally valid and constitutional, criminal defendants can always argue that otherwise valid and constitutional laws are unconstitutional as applied to them and their particular case.
—Wayne Unger, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Some of those include defendants facing serious charges, like Javonte Robinson, who in November allegedly stabbed a man to death in Boston after his charges for possession of a dangerous weapon were dismissed under the protocol in October.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026
The defendants include Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykda and the Puyallup School District and multiple school employees.
—Jackson Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
Additionally, five of the defendants are scheduled to appear for a detention hearing on Friday.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 10 June 2026
Among the defendants are the Getty Villa, SoCalGas, Southern California Edison, Las Virgenes Municipal Water District and three communications companies.
—Tony Saavedra, Daily News, 10 June 2026
In one of the fraud allegations, authorities alleged that the two companies and some defendants conspired together to defraud the apartment owners of Wang Fuk Court by concealing previous litigation records of Prestige and inflating the score given to the firm in a tender analysis report.
—ABC News, 10 June 2026
Tyson is requesting an Arthur hearing, which allows judges to consider setting bonds for defendants charged with crimes that aren’t normally eligible for bail.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Even though the laws charged in Comey’s case are generally valid and constitutional, criminal defendants can always argue that otherwise valid and constitutional laws are unconstitutional as applied to them and their particular case.
—Wayne Unger, The Conversation, 4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for defendants
Noun
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The program, which is likely to run in the afternoons or evenings, and would be open anyone looking to change careers, returning veterans and ex-offenders, Awwad said.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2026
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All colors change under different lights, but white is one of the biggest offenders due to its highly reflective quality.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 June 2026
Noun
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An allegation last year by a provincial police commander that top officers and officials were colluding with organized criminals led Ramaphosa to announce a national investigation into police corruption.—
Michelle Gumede,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
-
Roman emperors, sometimes urged on by the crowd, were known to grant pardons (to criminals) and freedom (to the enslaved) after an especially noteworthy performance.—
Cullen Murphy,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
Noun
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Defendants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/defendants. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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