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 Prosecutors also charged Guzman with misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol and causing injury to Joshua Mazur, the child’s father. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026 Gaines faces a misdemeanor charge of indecent exposure, according to Tarrant County court records. — Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026 The Constitution’s requirement of a two-thirds super-majority to remove a leader guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors is an all but insurmountable barrier in a country that has become as divided as this one. — Susan B. Glasser, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2026 The city attorney prosecutes misdemeanor offenses, represents Los Angeles in lawsuits, provides legal advice to the mayor, City Council and city departments and can bring civil enforcement actions on behalf of residents. — Teresa Liu, Daily News, 3 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for misdemeanor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misdemeanor
  1. crime
  2. violation
  3. trespass
  4. misconduct
Noun
  • Republicans, however, could take advantage of Newsom’s action and cast him as a soft-on-crime liberal who is out of touch with most Americans, which risks turning away moderate voters.
    — Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Eisenberg was sworn in as assistant attorney general in charge of the department's National Security Division in June 2025 and oversaw cases involving espionage, terrorism, export control violations, cyber crimes and other matters.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of crime
Noun
  • The Lakers, playing with Sexton as their primary ballhandler during the stretch, had four turnovers during the drought, including a shot clock violation after a timeout.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2026
  • The building didn’t just fall into disrepair but was legally condemned by the town of Branford due to fire safety and other code violations.
    — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 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
  • The state labor board denied SoCal Berry Growers’ claims of misconduct, reaffirming the United Farm Workers’ unionization petition.
    — Ella Chakarian, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Allegations of misconduct toppled the Democrat’s campaign, but his replacement, former logger and state senator Troy Jackson, has had a strong showing in the polls, and posed the first actual competition Collins has faced in nearly three decades.
    — Eve Batey, Vanity Fair, 4 Nov. 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 10 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on misdemeanor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about misdemeanor

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