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 He was charged with a misdemeanor offense and was released on his own recognizance. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 31 July 2026 Following the audit, Brewer's employment was terminated, he was arrested, and was charged with felony violation of oath of office and two counts of misdemeanor misuse of license plate data. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 31 July 2026 Smith had argued that offenses involving comparable financial losses are often treated as misdemeanors. — Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 31 July 2026 Scott Lauck, a spokesperson for the office, said in an email Thursday that one of the juveniles was charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault, while the other was charged with one count of resisting arrest, also a misdemeanor. — Nathan Pilling july 30, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for misdemeanor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misdemeanor
  1. crime
  2. violation
  3. trespass
  4. misconduct
Noun
  • Michael was arrested two days later, per Denver TV station KUSA, and charged with first-degree murder, use of a weapon in a violent crime, theft of $100 to $500, and abuse of a corpse.
    — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Instead of dwelling on the crime, the owners decided to respond with humor, posting the video on Instagram with a mock 0-star review for the burglary crew.
    — Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of crime
Noun
  • The lawsuit asserts claims for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and violations of state and local laws protecting freelance workers, as well as California’s Unfair Competition Law.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Grisham is currently suing Miller over violations of the terms of a confidential settlement related to his defamation case against her.
    — Rachel Scott, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • The arrests were mostly for criminal trespass, according to the Chicago Police Department.
    — Evgenia Anastasakos, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Galymzhan Abaildayev is facing charges of reckless endangerment, graffiti, public lewdness, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct, the New York Police Department said in a statement to NBC News on Monday.
    — Doha Madani, NBC news, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of trespass
Noun
  • And third, judges can remove that person for serious misconduct.
    — Reid Kress Weisbord, Fortune, 31 July 2026
  • For more than a year, California school administrators have lobbied lawmakers for a better way to protect students from those with a history of misconduct.
    — Holly McDede, ProPublica, 31 July 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 5 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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