as in crimes
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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Recent Examples of misdemeanors
Four other teens were charged with misdemeanors.
—
Jamal Goss, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Court records show Austin has previously been convicted of second-degree property damage in Liberty and first-degree trespassing in Kansas City, both class B misdemeanors in Missouri.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
Davis has nine previous felony convictions as well as two misdemeanors, related to theft, welfare fraud, forgery, possession of cocaine, prostitution and other charges, Bosner said.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
Now, locally, the district attorney has charged Sheriff Smith with several misdemeanors for hiring unqualified people, not the people who were involved in Tony Mitchell's death, but other people, some of them school resource officers.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
The 18-year-old driver of the pickup was arrested on a felony charge of vehicular homicide, and four other teens were charged with misdemeanors.
—Charlotte Kramon, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Ramirez was sentenced to four years’ probation on each of the felony charges and a year probation on each of the misdemeanors, all probation clocks running concurrently.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
The burglary charge is a class C felony, the others were serious misdemeanors.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2026
Current law says only those accused of murder or treason can have bail withheld, but this language expands that possibility to other offenses, such as misdemeanors.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 6 Mar. 2026
Jamal Goss, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Court records show Austin has previously been convicted of second-degree property damage in Liberty and first-degree trespassing in Kansas City, both class B misdemeanors in Missouri.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 10 Mar. 2026
Davis has nine previous felony convictions as well as two misdemeanors, related to theft, welfare fraud, forgery, possession of cocaine, prostitution and other charges, Bosner said.
—Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
Now, locally, the district attorney has charged Sheriff Smith with several misdemeanors for hiring unqualified people, not the people who were involved in Tony Mitchell's death, but other people, some of them school resource officers.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
The 18-year-old driver of the pickup was arrested on a felony charge of vehicular homicide, and four other teens were charged with misdemeanors.
—Charlotte Kramon, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
Ramirez was sentenced to four years’ probation on each of the felony charges and a year probation on each of the misdemeanors, all probation clocks running concurrently.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 9 Mar. 2026
The burglary charge is a class C felony, the others were serious misdemeanors.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 6 Mar. 2026
Current law says only those accused of murder or treason can have bail withheld, but this language expands that possibility to other offenses, such as misdemeanors.
—Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misdemeanors
Noun
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According to Fairbanks, who moved to South Africa from the United States more than fifteen years ago, attacks on farms appear to be mostly economically motivated crimes.—
Boyce Upholt,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
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Victims also alleged that some Epstein staffers turned a blind eye to his crimes.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The measure also restricts restroom access in certain government buildings and allows individuals to file complaints over alleged violations.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Mar. 2026
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City leaders told the American-Statesman the proposal is meant to prepare Austin for potential civil rights violations during federal immigration enforcement operations and responds to public calls for a more coordinated local response.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The pattern of trespasses at Mar-a-Lago culminated in a dramatic security incident on Sunday, when an armed man carrying what appeared to be a shotgun and a fuel can breached the perimeter.—
WPEC Staff,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Feb. 2026
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These seem like minor trespasses, but when no one feels comfortable telling the truth, the influence such behavior has on the 12-year-old Janna becomes concerning.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
5 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Misdemeanors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misdemeanors. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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