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
Court records show Yaye faces 144 charges, ranging from felonies to misdemeanors to summary offenses.
—
Michael Guise, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Of the 380,000 convictions that were never reported, about 147,000 involved felonies and 233,000 were misdemeanors, according to the court.
—City News Service, Daily News, 24 Feb. 2026
Former Plantation Mayor Lynn Stoner was sentenced Tuesday to one year of probation after pleading no contest to charges of official misconduct and two related misdemeanors.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
He was charged with three counts of battery, one count of strangulation and three misdemeanors.
—Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office said the pleas came after Judge Deborah Ryan approved a deal to reduce the original felony vandalism and conspiracy charges to misdemeanors under an agreement reached late last year.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
Cole was arrested on charges of reckless driving and exceeding the maximum limit, both misdemeanors.
—Connor Riley, AJC.com, 20 Feb. 2026
At least 19 other people arrested Wednesday were charged with misdemeanors of keeping a gambling place or gambling promotion.
—John Wayne Ferguson, Houston Chronicle, 20 Feb. 2026
Several of the cases filed in recent weeks have already been dropped by prosecutors or reduced from felonies to misdemeanors.
—Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Michael Guise, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Of the 380,000 convictions that were never reported, about 147,000 involved felonies and 233,000 were misdemeanors, according to the court.
—City News Service, Daily News, 24 Feb. 2026
Former Plantation Mayor Lynn Stoner was sentenced Tuesday to one year of probation after pleading no contest to charges of official misconduct and two related misdemeanors.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2026
He was charged with three counts of battery, one count of strangulation and three misdemeanors.
—Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office said the pleas came after Judge Deborah Ryan approved a deal to reduce the original felony vandalism and conspiracy charges to misdemeanors under an agreement reached late last year.
—Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
Cole was arrested on charges of reckless driving and exceeding the maximum limit, both misdemeanors.
—Connor Riley, AJC.com, 20 Feb. 2026
At least 19 other people arrested Wednesday were charged with misdemeanors of keeping a gambling place or gambling promotion.
—John Wayne Ferguson, Houston Chronicle, 20 Feb. 2026
Several of the cases filed in recent weeks have already been dropped by prosecutors or reduced from felonies to misdemeanors.
—Isabelle Chapman, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misdemeanors
Noun
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Prosecutors said Serafini’s crimes were driven by anger and financial distress.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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During his testimony, Bill Clinton denied any knowledge of Epstein’s crimes, and he was described as being largely relaxed while answering questions.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Emails alleging violations started arriving to City Section commissioner Vicky Lagos before the semifinals.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
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Cavin’s letter then went on to specify the precise regulatory violations to be cited in such a complaint.—
Clark Kauffman,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
27 Feb. 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 2 Mar. 2026.
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