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
Violating the law − for both the largecarnivore and wolf-dog cross acts − are misdemeanors and punishable by monetary fines and imprisonment, for instance.
—
Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Most of the charges are misdemeanors, except for tampering with government records, which is a second-degree felony.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2026
In both parents' criminal cases, the child neglect charges were felonies for the children under 6 years old, and misdemeanors for the two older children.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Prosecutors dismissed the stalking count on Monday in exchange for Thornton pleading guilty to the misdemeanors.
—CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Robert has accepted responsibility for his mistakes and has pleaded guilty to several misdemeanors.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
Most of the stateside arrests are misdemeanors, with police officers writing tickets and releasing people on scene.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Those would only constitute misdemeanors, which would result in summons and a subsequent release.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
McKnight faces fives child abuse charges — one felony and four misdemeanors.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 12 Jan. 2026
Most of the charges are misdemeanors, except for tampering with government records, which is a second-degree felony.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Jan. 2026
In both parents' criminal cases, the child neglect charges were felonies for the children under 6 years old, and misdemeanors for the two older children.
—Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Prosecutors dismissed the stalking count on Monday in exchange for Thornton pleading guilty to the misdemeanors.
—CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Robert has accepted responsibility for his mistakes and has pleaded guilty to several misdemeanors.
—Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
Most of the stateside arrests are misdemeanors, with police officers writing tickets and releasing people on scene.
—Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
Those would only constitute misdemeanors, which would result in summons and a subsequent release.
—Jami Ganz, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
McKnight faces fives child abuse charges — one felony and four misdemeanors.
—Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misdemeanors
Noun
-
His failure to accomplish his objectives does not mitigate the profoundly dangerous nature of his crimes.—
Brie Stimson,
FOXNews.com,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The county saw a reduction in major crimes, according to the police department, during the summer of 2025.—
Andrew Adeolu,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Welfare advocates, long highly critical of the San Jose animal shelter, are warning of a potential legal fight if the agency fails to improve animal care — accusing the city of neglect, gross negligence and repeating violations of state law.—
Devan Patel,
Mercury News,
14 Jan. 2026
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Some of those fees, like the Fish and Game Preservation Fund, have absolutely nothing to do with traffic violations.—
Julie Watts,
CBS News,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Matilda, fresh on the island, even trespasses on Beechwood and sees the wreckage herself.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Misdemeanors.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misdemeanors. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
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