RECIDIVIST Synonyms: 50 Similar and Opposite Words

recidivist

noun

Definition of recidivist

as in offender

formal a person who continues to commit crimes even after being caught and punished

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of recidivist 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 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 This graphic novel keeps the spirit of the Blues Brothers alive; mischievous recidivists, musical outlaws who above everything, care about the Blues. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025 Yet this seemingly entirely unnecessary act of recidivist safeguarding was how Tristan da Cunha came to be populated. — The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for recidivist

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recidivist

Noun

Numerous programs are being implemented to attempt to reduce the probability of recidivism through education and counseling and to reintegrate offenders into society.

— Ronald J. Allen, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2026
Ireland has approved landmark legislation to create the country’s first public register of domestic violence offenders, in a move campaigners say will empower people to check whether a potential partner has a history of violence.

— Kara Fox, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

Definition of offender

Noun

California has some of the nation’s toughest gun laws, but state lawmakers are concerned that a new technology is allowing criminals to obtain firearms by building them from scratch.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
This lengthy process was typical of ICE’s previous procedures to track down criminals, Sandweg said, which may have shifted under the demands of this administration’s daily arrest goals.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of criminal

Noun

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.

— Tom Jackman, chicagotribune.com, 16 June 2018
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.

— Tom Jackman, Washington Post, 16 June 2018

Definition of misdemeanant

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rechristens

recidivist

recidivists

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“Recidivist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recidivist. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of recidivist

noun

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