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 law, which initially took effect July 1, allows individuals convicted of other misdemeanors and some nonviolent felonies to petition the court to seal their records. — Liam Bowman, Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2026 Eric Evans, a six-year employee of the police department, entered a guilty plea Wednesday for five misdemeanor charges of misconduct. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026 McKinsey was arrested last October and charged with misdemeanor child abuse for allegedly hitting their oldest son. — ABC News, 1 Oct. 2026 He was charged with one count of battery by strangulation, a felony, and one count of misdemeanor battery. — Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for misdemeanor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misdemeanor
  1. crime
  2. violation
  3. trespass
  4. misconduct
Noun
  • At that point, Jesse had been dead for a decade, and Frank had been tried for crimes three times—in Missouri, then Alabama, and back to Missouri again.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Police said the vandalism was classified as a property crime rather than a hate offense, and the teen was released to his parents.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of crime
Noun
  • Operators could now face fines of up to $50,000 per violation.
    — Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2026
  • The law firm's report released Thursday said Caldwell committed several violations of state policy.
    — MIKE CATALINI, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • Anderson is facing charges of possession of burglary tools, theft, criminal mischief, and second-degree criminal trespass.
    — Christa Swanson, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Two Queens men, Kevin Rodriguez, 26, and Samuel Reveron, 25, were charged with criminal trespass.
    — John Miller, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of trespass
Noun
  • Newsom signed a similar bill that prevents federal agents from becoming police in California if their federal badge was revoked for misconduct.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Eric Evans, a six-year employee of the police department, entered a guilty plea Wednesday for five misdemeanor charges of misconduct.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 1 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 5 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on misdemeanor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about misdemeanor

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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