as in illegal
contrary to or forbidden by law
people should know with certainty that criminal behavior will be punished
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in offender
a person who has committed a crime
car thieves, pickpockets, burglars, and other criminals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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 criminal
Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025
The criminal division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section will continue to play a supporting role by providing guidance and training to Justice Department personnel and acting as a liaison to the digital asset industry.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 6 Apr. 2025
One parent, Tamia Woods, whose son James Woods died by suicide on Nov. 19, 2023, said the criminals eliminated her son's desire for a future.
—Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Adjective
Jorge Saldana-Gonzalez, 44, was arrested on a murder charge following the Saturday, April 5, shooting at Sandra’s Bar, on Alamo’s east side, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hidalgo County.
—Mitchell Willetts, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Apr. 2025
The criminal division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section will continue to play a supporting role by providing guidance and training to Justice Department personnel and acting as a liaison to the digital asset industry.
—Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
Schimel was accused of giving plea deals to despicable criminals.
—Megan O’Matz, ProPublica, 6 Apr. 2025
One parent, Tamia Woods, whose son James Woods died by suicide on Nov. 19, 2023, said the criminals eliminated her son's desire for a future.
—Krystal Nurse, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminal
Adjective
-
Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
-
Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.—
Lisa Beebe,
Los Angeles Magazine,
5 July 2017
Adjective
-
Federal workers, migrants and transgender troops are among the groups arguing that Trump’s policies are unlawful and will cause irreversible harm if not blocked.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2025
-
After a national labor union and student loan borrower advocacy group filed a legal challenge against the Trump administration arguing that the shutdown was unlawful, the department reopened IDR applications for ICR, PAYE, and IBR.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
For various examples and further detailed indications about the nature of what is considered illicit prompts (i.e., that you aren’t supposed to use), see my coverage at the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
-
It's been found in illicit drug supplies nationwide for decades.—
Meira Gebel,
Axios,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Darnell Jones is also charged with felonious assault and abduction, according to court records.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
25 Mar. 2025
-
Marybeth, still uncomfortable with the arrangement between her department and the felonious accountant, does so reluctantly.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
9 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The office has a track record of disputing wrongful conviction claims, even when evidence casts serious doubt on a verdict.—
Katie Moore,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Instead, the Federal Judiciary Workplace Conduct Working Group was more worried about another stat: Only 42 percent of respondents agreed that employees are willing or very willing to report wrongful conduct.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminal. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share