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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of offender
Responding officers placed both offenders into custody.
—
Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
Almost one month after Guthrie’s kidnapping, little remains publicly known about the offender (or offenders) who abducted the 84-year-old woman.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Brown, who was deemed to be a repeat violent offender, was involved in the fatal shooting of a man in 2012 during a robbery, court documents say.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Feb. 2026
Products that heat or continuously disperse fragrance (including traditional plug-in air fresheners) may be the worst offenders.
—Allison Hatfield, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Atlanta’s Center for Diversion and Services is designed to keep low-level offenders struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues out of the controversial Fulton County Jail, where overpopulation and inhumane conditions have attracted national criticism.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 25 Feb. 2026
In 2021, a new law came into effect that lowered the criteria to offenders age 50 or older who had served at least 20 years.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
But, three years later, Governor George Pataki ended work release for violent offenders, and Walker was sent back inside.
—Jennifer Gonnerman, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026
The worst offenders among the everyday players were Mike Trout (32%), Logan O’Hoppe (31%) and Jorge Soler (30%).
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026
Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
Almost one month after Guthrie’s kidnapping, little remains publicly known about the offender (or offenders) who abducted the 84-year-old woman.
—Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2026
Brown, who was deemed to be a repeat violent offender, was involved in the fatal shooting of a man in 2012 during a robbery, court documents say.
—Kevin Grasha, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Feb. 2026
Products that heat or continuously disperse fragrance (including traditional plug-in air fresheners) may be the worst offenders.
—Allison Hatfield, Dallas Morning News, 25 Feb. 2026
Atlanta’s Center for Diversion and Services is designed to keep low-level offenders struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues out of the controversial Fulton County Jail, where overpopulation and inhumane conditions have attracted national criticism.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 25 Feb. 2026
In 2021, a new law came into effect that lowered the criteria to offenders age 50 or older who had served at least 20 years.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
But, three years later, Governor George Pataki ended work release for violent offenders, and Walker was sent back inside.
—Jennifer Gonnerman, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026
The worst offenders among the everyday players were Mike Trout (32%), Logan O’Hoppe (31%) and Jorge Soler (30%).
—Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offender
Noun
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Whatley said those policies threaten law enforcement officers and public safety, arguing that criminals belong behind bars and pledging to continue backing law enforcement.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
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The decisive action of the Mexican government is positive for families on both sides of the border who suffer the devastating consequences of the activities of these transnational criminals.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Incorrectly cleaning your appliances and cookware or blunt forces from heavier objects are other culprits behind the visible scratches.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
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Some of the tunnels are so elaborate that the culprits have even installed electricity and lighting.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offender. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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