misdemeanor

noun

Definition of misdemeanornext
as in crime
law a criminal act that is less serious than a felony He was charged with committing a misdemeanor. a misdemeanor traffic violation

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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 misdemeanor Wisconsin public records show that Ruiz was convicted of 40 misdemeanors and felonies from 2009 to 2025, including robbery by force and strangulation. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 14 Aug. 2026 The charge, a class A misdemeanor, carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $2,000 fine. — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 14 Aug. 2026 In June, Mathers failed to appear for a sentencing and a bond modification hearing in the misdemeanor case and a probable cause conference in the third-offense impaired driving case. — Christina Hall, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026 Tyler Muehl, 18, who lives in the San Diego seaside neighborhood of La Jolla, entered his plea in a federal courtroom to a misdemeanor violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act’s prohibition on harassing wildlife, the Justice Department said. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for misdemeanor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misdemeanor
  1. crime
  2. violation
  3. trespass
  4. misconduct
Noun
  • Mangione’s lawyers raised concerns when he was first charged in both jurisdictions that the 28-year-old was unfairly being tried twice for the same crime.
    — Kara Scannell, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Such filings typically chronicle the impact of a defendant's crimes, as well as his history, upbringing and other aggravating or mitigating factors.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of crime
Noun
  • Despite that, the students were still found responsible for the indoor protest ban violation.
    — Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • He was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism, as well as a probation violation, and booked into the Main Jail in San Jose.
    — Jason Green, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • Judge Richard Leon ruled the project would not alter reservation boundaries or trespass on tribal land, saying border security and public safety outweigh any harms.
    — Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • In January 2025, the Commissioners Court approved a policy along party lines giving sheriff’s deputies the ability to issue trespass warnings to anyone in violation of the decorum policy.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of trespass
Noun
  • Head coach Eckert being hit with three Football Association misconduct charges means the saga may yet cast a further shadow over the new campaign, especially as the German could be facing a lengthy ban.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Federal officials say these forms are scanned into an online system and is accessible to all staff based at the facility, even those accused of misconduct.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of misconduct

Browse Nearby Words

misdemeanants
misdemeanor
misdemeanors
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Cite this Entry

“Misdemeanor.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misdemeanor. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on misdemeanor

Nglish: Translation of misdemeanor for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about misdemeanor

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