as in offender
formal
a person who continues to commit crimes even after being caught and punished
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Recent Examples of recidivist
Within the Moreton Bay area, a penal settlement for colonial recidivists was founded at Brisbane, followed by other penal establishments at Ipswich and on Stradbroke Island.
—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
19 Mar. 2026
Gerald Ford, who was President during the peak of the arson wave, publicly mentioned the Bronx just once, to go by the American Presidency Project, and that was to commend Merola’s office for locking up recidivists.
—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
Swafford, described by police as a recidivist, was charged with Grand Larceny Auto, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle and Obstructing Governmental Administration.
—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Another inspection list recidivist in March, Sang’s is a member of Miami-Dade’s Wretched Restaurant Row, restaurants along 167th Street/163rd Street that have failed inspection, often with an earth’s core deep level of disgusting violations.
—
David J. Neal
updated August 8,
Miami Herald,
8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recidivist
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
19 Mar. 2026
Gerald Ford, who was President during the peak of the arson wave, publicly mentioned the Bronx just once, to go by the American Presidency Project, and that was to commend Merola’s office for locking up recidivists.
—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
18 Aug. 2025
Swafford, described by police as a recidivist, was charged with Grand Larceny Auto, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle and Obstructing Governmental Administration.
—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Another inspection list recidivist in March, Sang’s is a member of Miami-Dade’s Wretched Restaurant Row, restaurants along 167th Street/163rd Street that have failed inspection, often with an earth’s core deep level of disgusting violations.
—
David J. Neal
updated August 8,
Miami Herald,
8 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recidivist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recidivist
Noun
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Independence Day celebrations come in the most challenging threat environment since 9/11, with the ongoing terror threat, a rise in political violence and continuing fears about lone-wolf offenders, according to Raia.
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There were also concerns listed in the analysis that the registry, which dates back to 1947, could include LGBTQ+ offenders from decades ago who were convicted of offenses that are no longer crimes.
Noun
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Data that appears to be compliance information to a regulator can appear to be a target list to a criminal.
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The Colorado attorney general oversees more than 700 attorneys and staff and manages legal manners spanning consumer protection, civil rights, criminal, water, constitutional and environmental law.
Noun
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The Common Law principles that shape sentencing are about accountability for the lawbreaker’s actions.
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Rollins is running for a job in justice, ostensibly to uphold the law and hold lawbreakers accountable.
Noun
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The Northern Neck Regional Jail, where Paul Manafort will spend at least the next three months while awaiting trial, has the outward appearance of being a small local jail holding street thugs and assorted misdemeanants.
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The Northern Neck Regional Jail, where Paul Manafort will spend at least the next three months while awaiting trial, has the outward appearance of being a small local jail holding street thugs and assorted misdemeanants.
Cite this Entry
“Recidivist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recidivist. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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