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 The company and two co-founders each face 13 felony charges and one misdemeanor for violating gambling laws. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 29 Oct. 2026 Three coaches at Coral Springs High — Brandon Wesley, Brenton Hankerson, Donald Calloway — were all charged with misdemeanor petty theft. — Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026 He is also charged with misdemeanor resisting a peace officer and unlawful possession of cannabis by a driver. — Susan Sarkauskas, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026 He was arrested a short time later and charged with misdemeanor battery. — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for misdemeanor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misdemeanor
  1. crime
  2. violation
  3. trespass
  4. misconduct
Noun
  • The former prince has repeatedly denied committing any crimes.
    — Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2026
  • In the 1980s Americans became gripped with satanic panic, the fear that Satan worshippers were committing heinous crimes against children.
    — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of crime
Noun
  • This was a violation at the opening inspection and was to be corrected prior to opening.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The law firm said that a license plate violation will not add points on your DMV record.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • Joel DeJesus surrendered himself Thursday on an indictment charging him with computer trespass, official misconduct and unlawful dissemination of an intimate image, officials said.
    — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The suspect, 27-year-old Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano of Stafford, Virginia, has been charged with felony destruction of property, trespass with intent to damage, and felony injury to a monument, court records show.
    — Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of trespass
Noun
  • Former township Clerk Kimberly Grable pleaded guilty to official misconduct and was sentenced to five years in prison.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Jansen Trotter Fannin County In its initial statement, the Leonard Police Department did not identify the underlying misconduct, explain what Trotter allegedly knew or failed to report, or identify anyone else involved.
    — Doug Myers, CBS News, 28 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on misdemeanor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about misdemeanor

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