as in criminal
a person who has committed a crime
juvenile offenders have their criminal records sealed when they turn 18
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Recent Examples of offender
Biden’s autopen signature was used to issue major clemency orders in the final two months of his term that affected more than 4,000 individuals, including drug offenders and those placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
—
Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 9 Sep. 2025
Produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order examines the criminal justice system and tells the stories of the police who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
Poole says that one of the biggest couch offenders is pet urine.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
Filtering facepieces proved far worse offenders than standard surgical masks.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
In the past, Gardiner said, ICE didn’t have the resources to pick people up, so offenders were released back into the community.
—Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2025
Zimmer argued that lawmakers often prioritize the impact of laws on offenders rather than victims.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Other states, including California, Montana, Idaho and North Dakota, have similar laws enhancing sentences for repeat felony offenders.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
However, first-time nonviolent offenders typically get shorter sentences or probation.
—Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 9 Sep. 2025
Produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Wolf Entertainment, Law & Order examines the criminal justice system and tells the stories of the police who investigate crime and the district attorneys who prosecute the offenders.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
Poole says that one of the biggest couch offenders is pet urine.
—Hallie Milstein, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
Filtering facepieces proved far worse offenders than standard surgical masks.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Sep. 2025
In the past, Gardiner said, ICE didn’t have the resources to pick people up, so offenders were released back into the community.
—Idaho Statesman, 4 Sep. 2025
Zimmer argued that lawmakers often prioritize the impact of laws on offenders rather than victims.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Other states, including California, Montana, Idaho and North Dakota, have similar laws enhancing sentences for repeat felony offenders.
—Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 Sep. 2025
However, first-time nonviolent offenders typically get shorter sentences or probation.
—Daniel Bice, jsonline.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offender
Noun
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Lawmakers in many states have changed the rules in recent decades to protect winners from being targeted by criminals and unscrupulous people asking for money.—
Safiyah Riddle,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Sep. 2025
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Her Eco-Age consultancy, targeted by criminals and forced to close in 2024 after 17 years in business, had advised clients on industry developments, changes to government policies and practical guidance on how to avoid greenwashing.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But by mistake, Trey’s friend Kyle – the boy of King’s longtime associate Paul (Jeffrey Wright) – is the one being held, and King works with the police to pay the culprits and get the kid back.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
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Of all the bad-hair-day culprits, matted hair can be the most stubborn and frustrating.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Offender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offender. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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