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
He was charged with an infraction disorderly conduct, and threat of violence and suspicion of criminal trespassing, both Class B misdemeanors in Utah.
—
Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Nov. 2025
The convictions were ultimately reduced to misdemeanors and expunged in 2022, the court document said.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
After taking office in 2021, Bragg had downgraded 52% of felony cases to misdemeanors, according to data released in November 2022 by his own office.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department later announced that the Masked Singer alum had been charged with three misdemeanors — battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, and public intoxication — before upgrading the battery charge to a felony.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
The man was one of 15 people scheduled to appear in Davis’ downtown courtroom that day under a new state law that shifted certain drug and theft crimes from misdemeanors to felonies for repeat offenders.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
In the City Council race, incumbent Teresa Jorgensen was found guilty in 2012 of three counts of criminal contempt of court, all misdemeanors.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2025
Sanchez was charged with a felony for battery resulting in serious bodily injury and three misdemeanors; battery resulting in bodily injury, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication that endangers the life of another.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Our count found at least eight citizens have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors, including for failing to follow orders.
—Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2025
Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Nov. 2025
The convictions were ultimately reduced to misdemeanors and expunged in 2022, the court document said.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2025
After taking office in 2021, Bragg had downgraded 52% of felony cases to misdemeanors, according to data released in November 2022 by his own office.
—Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department later announced that the Masked Singer alum had been charged with three misdemeanors — battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, and public intoxication — before upgrading the battery charge to a felony.
—Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
The man was one of 15 people scheduled to appear in Davis’ downtown courtroom that day under a new state law that shifted certain drug and theft crimes from misdemeanors to felonies for repeat offenders.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
In the City Council race, incumbent Teresa Jorgensen was found guilty in 2012 of three counts of criminal contempt of court, all misdemeanors.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2025
Sanchez was charged with a felony for battery resulting in serious bodily injury and three misdemeanors; battery resulting in bodily injury, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication that endangers the life of another.
—Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Our count found at least eight citizens have pleaded guilty, mostly to misdemeanors, including for failing to follow orders.
—Nicole Foy, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misdemeanors
Noun
-
The crimes with which she has been charged are trumped up and her arrest is a cynical ploy by the junta headed by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing to cling onto power.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
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This significant sentence reflects the seriousness of those crimes.—
Landon Mion , Brooke Taylor,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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And while traffic violations haven’t been privatized, Dubai’s new traffic cameras are likely generating predictable incomes that would attract investors.—
Mohammed Sergie,
semafor.com,
10 Nov. 2025
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The events of that day prompted the American Civil Liberties Union to sue authorities on O’Hara’s behalf for alleged violations of his First and Fourth Amendment rights, among other claims.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Matilda, fresh on the island, even trespasses on Beechwood and sees the wreckage herself.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
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Jake is revealed to be embezzling from his business and steadily engages in a series of moral, personal, and legal trespasses that are at least as bad as Vince’s.—
Andrew Bernard,
The Washington Examiner,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Misdemeanors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misdemeanors. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.
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