as in criminals
a person who has committed a serious crime
The convicted felon wanted to make amends after his release from jail.
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Recent Examples of felons
Even felons — the Menendez brothers for example, and the late Jeffrey Epstein — are free to seek federal office; only the states have prohibitions against felon candidates.
—
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Four people voted despite being felons, one voted twice, and one, only one, voted despite being a non-citizen.
—Adriana E. Ramírez, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
They also were charged with being felons in possession of a weapon.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Growing the colony For the first 52 years of the colony’s existence, New South Wales continued to receive regular consignments of felons, largely consisting of people who had been found guilty of property crimes.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
Lawsuits help felons get their guns back A majority of the 22 individuals named in February by the attorney general had their rights restored after applying for full pardons at the department.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Of those arrested, 105 were convicted felons, and 61 were documented gang members.
—CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Again, the outcome could easily have been different if voting rights for former felons were a given.
—Kevin B. Smith, The Conversation, 2 Mar. 2026
But as legacy media recedes, a growing cohort of famous felons are leveraging new media to rehab their images.
—Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Four people voted despite being felons, one voted twice, and one, only one, voted despite being a non-citizen.
—Adriana E. Ramírez, Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2026
They also were charged with being felons in possession of a weapon.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026
Growing the colony For the first 52 years of the colony’s existence, New South Wales continued to receive regular consignments of felons, largely consisting of people who had been found guilty of property crimes.
—Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Mar. 2026
Lawsuits help felons get their guns back A majority of the 22 individuals named in February by the attorney general had their rights restored after applying for full pardons at the department.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Of those arrested, 105 were convicted felons, and 61 were documented gang members.
—CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Again, the outcome could easily have been different if voting rights for former felons were a given.
—Kevin B. Smith, The Conversation, 2 Mar. 2026
But as legacy media recedes, a growing cohort of famous felons are leveraging new media to rehab their images.
—Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 13 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for felons
Noun
-
However, Connecticut Citizens Defense League President Holly Sullivan told Fox News Digital that statewide Democrats chose to go after law-abiding citizens instead of criminals by passing this piece of legislation.—
Adam Sabes,
FOXNews.com,
9 May 2026
-
Immigration policy is destroying the lives of families, not criminals.—
Kinsey Crowley,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
My office will continue to work alongside law enforcement partners like the Antioch Police Department to hold armed offenders accountable and pursue justice on behalf of all those harmed.—
Carlos E. Castañeda,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
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The most effective way to deter criminal behavior is increasing the perception that would-be offenders will certainly get caught and sanctioned.—
Sarah Anderson,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Felons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/felons. Accessed 16 May. 2026.
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