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
Molly Bohannon, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Perez’s criminal history includes 12 felony convictions, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 19 Dec. 2024
Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2024
The film focuses on young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) — who's accidentally left home alone over the holidays — and his clever plans to outwit a pair of criminals trying to rob his home on Christmas Eve.
—Athena Sobhan, People.com, 8 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for criminal 
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Adjective
Key Facts An unsealed federal criminal complaint showed Mangione is being charged with murder through use of a firearm, two stalking charges and a firearm offense, CNN reported.
—Molly Bohannon, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Perez’s criminal history includes 12 felony convictions, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
Trump has said deportations will focus on criminals first, as immigration enforcement has since former President Barack Obama's presidency.
—Sarah D. Wire, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2024
The film focuses on young Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) — who's accidentally left home alone over the holidays — and his clever plans to outwit a pair of criminals trying to rob his home on Christmas Eve.
—Athena Sobhan, People.com, 8 Dec. 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 22 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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