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 George Gebran pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty and one misdemeanor count of unlawful discharge of a firearm. — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026 Among those recently charged was Alex Li, who is facing a misdemeanor count of child endangerment. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 If convicted as charged, Li faces up to one year in Orange County Jail for his misdemeanor count of child endangerment. — Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 Woods completed a rehab stint in Switzerland after he was arrested on charges of driving under the influence as well as two other misdemeanors in Florida. — Scott Thompson Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for misdemeanor
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misdemeanor
  1. crime
  2. violation
  3. trespass
  4. misconduct
Noun
  • Both candidates believe violent crime should be the priority at the district attorney’s office.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The state persistently ranks near the bottom nationally on poverty, crime and public education, and disenchanted voters are pleading for change.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of crime
Noun
  • And unlike state authorities who can be sued for civil rights violations in state courts, federal law enforcement authorities are generally shielded from such lawsuits based on legal precedents.
    — Philip Wang, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Chicago should provide workable loading zones, preserve first-offense warnings, and publicly report whether violations and crashes actually decline.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • 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
  • Miguel Alonso Maldonado Soriano, 27, was charged with felony destruction of property, trespass with intent to damage property and felony injury to a monument.
    — Emma Bussey , Bill Melugin, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of trespass
Noun
  • Davis argued that Slotkin described targeting junior personnel and young professionals to discourage them from serving, rather than solely to pursue justice for alleged misconduct.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner earlier in October said that Lewis was acquitted in a previous murder case, blaming police misconduct for the outcome.
    — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 22 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 26 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on misdemeanor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about misdemeanor

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