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
According to multiple people briefed on the discussions, the committee could propose to remove the carryover suspension part of the punishment for first-time offenders on second-half targeting penalties, leaving in place a 15-yard penalty and ejection.
—
Chris Vannini, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
What emerged, Jackson told the court Thursday, was the portrait of a transient and calculating offender who operated across multiple states and evaded law enforcement for years.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
Howell said the case contradicts prior characterizations of the clemency actions as focusing on nonviolent offenders.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
From there, the FBI could input the profiles into its national database of offenders.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026
Prominent South Florida chef Louie Bossi, the namesake of restaurants in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, has entered a pre-trial intervention agreement for first-time offenders following his arrest on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge last month, court records show.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
There, police found cocaine and LSD, according to a report from the Cornelius police that lists Heider and a woman described as his girlfriend as offenders.
—Amber Gaudet
updated February 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Broadway Mart Repeat offender Police identified the suspect as 52-year-old Brian Burrows.
—Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 20 Feb. 2026
Set against a ’90s true-crime backdrop, the fictional character is a female serial killer who targets repeat violent offenders who escaped accountability through power, prestige, or institutional failure.
—Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 19 Feb. 2026
Chris Vannini, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2026
What emerged, Jackson told the court Thursday, was the portrait of a transient and calculating offender who operated across multiple states and evaded law enforcement for years.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
Howell said the case contradicts prior characterizations of the clemency actions as focusing on nonviolent offenders.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 20 Feb. 2026
From there, the FBI could input the profiles into its national database of offenders.
—Luke Barr, ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026
Prominent South Florida chef Louie Bossi, the namesake of restaurants in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, has entered a pre-trial intervention agreement for first-time offenders following his arrest on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge last month, court records show.
—Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
There, police found cocaine and LSD, according to a report from the Cornelius police that lists Heider and a woman described as his girlfriend as offenders.
—Amber Gaudet
updated February 20, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026
Broadway Mart Repeat offender Police identified the suspect as 52-year-old Brian Burrows.
—Mike Hellgren, CBS News, 20 Feb. 2026
Set against a ’90s true-crime backdrop, the fictional character is a female serial killer who targets repeat violent offenders who escaped accountability through power, prestige, or institutional failure.
—Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offender
Noun
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Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill, ICE has new funding to expand detention space to keep these criminals off American streets before they are removed for good from our communities.—
Jeff Capellini,
CBS News,
20 Feb. 2026
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His office is more concerned about arresting police officers than prosecuting criminals.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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When a new string of murders grips their California community, the underestimated trio set out to catch the culprit themselves.—
Kait Hanson,
Southern Living,
21 Feb. 2026
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One way out is to imagine that dark energy — the culprit and driving force behind the accelerated expansion of the Universe — can in some way change over time.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offender. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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