crim·i·nal
ˈkri-mə-nᵊl 
ˈkrim-nəl
1
: relating to, involving, or being a crime
criminal neglect
a criminal organization
2
: relating to crime or to the prosecution of suspects in a crime
criminal statistics
brought criminal action
the criminal justice system
3
: guilty of crime
also
: of or befitting a criminal
a criminal mind
4
: disgraceful
It's criminal how unfunny this comedy is.—
Rick Bentley
Rick Bentley
criminally
adverb
1
: one who has committed a crime
2
: a person who has been convicted of a crime
Synonyms
Examples of criminal in a Sentence
Adjective
a history of criminal behavior
The captain of the wrecked boat was accused of criminal negligence.
The company brought criminal charges against her.
It's criminal that the government is doing nothing to stop the problem.
Noun
car thieves, pickpockets, burglars, and other criminals
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Nov. 2024
In September 2019, a grand jury declined to indict Amy on criminal charges after he was accused of financial exploitation and following an investigation by the Texas Rangers.
—Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Evan Clark, WWD, 22 Nov. 2024
Being in close proximity to Adams and the criminal as the gun went off, Jo and her unborn twins could also potentially be in danger.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminal 
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Adjective
The investigation could lead to a wide range of legal outcomes, including, as detailed below, criminal charges, civil lawsuits and NCAA sanctions.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Nov. 2024
In September 2019, a grand jury declined to indict Amy on criminal charges after he was accused of financial exploitation and following an investigation by the Texas Rangers.
—Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
Cybercrime As retailers prepare for the big holiday rush — when shoplifters could also take advantage of crowds to ramp up — other kinds of criminals are at the back door.
—Evan Clark, WWD, 22 Nov. 2024
Being in close proximity to Adams and the criminal as the gun went off, Jo and her unborn twins could also potentially be in danger.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminal
Dictionary Entries Near criminal
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminal. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
criminal
1 of 2 adjective
crim·i·nal
ˈkrim-ən-ᵊl
ˈkrim-nəl
1
: being or guilty of a crime
a criminal act
2
: relating to crime or its punishment
criminal court
criminality
noun
ˌkrim-ə-ˈnal-ət-ē
criminally
adverb
ˈkrim-ən-ᵊl-ē
-nə-lē
criminal
2 of 2 noun
: a person who has committed a crime
Legal Definition
criminal
1 of 2 adjective
crim·i·nal
ˈkri-mə-nəl
1
: relating to, involving, or being a crime
criminal neglect
criminal conduct
2
: relating to crime or its prosecution
brought a criminal action
criminal code
compare civil sense 4, penal
criminal
2 of 2 noun1
: one who has committed a crime
2
: a person who has been convicted of a crime
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