as in criminals
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 offenders
Anyone can see how many cases are filed, how much attorneys collect, and who the worst offenders are.
—
Tom Manzo, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Punish the worst offenders by requiring them to apologize, publicly, for missing the mark.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
The offenders then fled the scene.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
These agencies work to ensure consistent and centralized coordination of federal prisons and offenders.
—Jennifer Selin, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Strengthening public-education campaigns in high-risk areas is critical, as many drivers — especially first-time offenders — may underestimate the probability of impaired driving and the deadly consequences of their actions.
—Sean M. Cleary, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Stop Smoking One of the biggest VOC offenders is cigarette smoke.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 30 Mar. 2026
Holmes qualified for the reduced term under a 2023 rule change allowing first-time offenders to do less time for some non-violent crimes, according to an order issued Thursday by the federal judge who sentenced her in 2022 for defrauding investors in her blood-testing startup.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
And many Democrats see it as an effort to curb more liberal prosecutors who have embraced restorative justice policies, including steering nonviolent offenders away from prison sentences or taking more lax approaches to drug offenses.
—Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Tom Manzo, Oc Register, 6 Apr. 2026
Punish the worst offenders by requiring them to apologize, publicly, for missing the mark.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
The offenders then fled the scene.
—Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2026
These agencies work to ensure consistent and centralized coordination of federal prisons and offenders.
—Jennifer Selin, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Strengthening public-education campaigns in high-risk areas is critical, as many drivers — especially first-time offenders — may underestimate the probability of impaired driving and the deadly consequences of their actions.
—Sean M. Cleary, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Stop Smoking One of the biggest VOC offenders is cigarette smoke.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 30 Mar. 2026
Holmes qualified for the reduced term under a 2023 rule change allowing first-time offenders to do less time for some non-violent crimes, according to an order issued Thursday by the federal judge who sentenced her in 2022 for defrauding investors in her blood-testing startup.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
And many Democrats see it as an effort to curb more liberal prosecutors who have embraced restorative justice policies, including steering nonviolent offenders away from prison sentences or taking more lax approaches to drug offenses.
—Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for offenders
Noun
-
Göring, played by Russell Crowe, is the troubling centerpiece of James Vanderbilt’s ambitious film devoted to the trial of the major Nazi war criminals at Nuremberg in 1945–1946.—
Alice Kaplan,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
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Also included is a 13% increase in funding for the Department of Justice to focus on violent criminals and a $481 million increase in funding to enhance aviation safety and support an air traffic controller hiring surge.—
LISA MASCARO,
Arkansas Online,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This specific blend helps reduce oxidative stress and chronic low-grade inflammation, two primary culprits behind blood vessel damage.—
Lauren Manaker,
SELF,
2 Apr. 2026
-
More common culprits include a high-salt diet, eczema, allergies and sleep position.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Offenders.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/offenders. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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