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
  • That was true in its yeshiva reform efforts when hesitant and understaffed local districts were charged with investigations and, even when violations were substantiated, the schools couldn’t be closed down.
    — David Bloomfield, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
  • But that still amounts to 79 inquiries now being double-checked for a possible violation of policy.
    — Graham Hurley, CNN Money, 1 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 7 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on misdemeanor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about misdemeanor

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