CRIME Synonyms: 66 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'crime' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of crime are offense , scandal , sin , and vice . While all these words mean "a transgression of law," crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state. // the crime of murder

Q: When would 'offense' be a good substitute for 'crime'?

The words offense and crime are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code. // at that school no offense went unpunished

Q: When can 'scandal' be used instead of 'crime'?

The meanings of scandal and crime largely overlap; however, scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience. // a career ruined by a sex scandal

Q: When is 'sin' a more appropriate choice than 'crime'?

The synonyms sin and crime are sometimes interchangeable, but sin implies an offense against moral or religious law. // the sin of blasphemy

Q: When could 'vice' be used to replace 'crime'?

In some situations, the words vice and crime are roughly equivalent. However, vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts. // regarded gambling as a vice

crime

noun

ˈkrīm

Definition of crime next

as in criminality

activities that are in violation of the laws of the state a promise by the president to step up the war against crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in shame

a regrettable or blameworthy act it's a crime to waste food, so give the rest of the pizza to me

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in offence

a breaking of a moral or legal code anyone who commits a crime should expect to be punished for it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun crime contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of crime are offense, scandal, sin, and vice. While all these words mean "a transgression of law," crime implies a serious offense punishable by the law of the state.

the crime of murder

When would offense be a good substitute for crime?

The words offense and crime are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, offense applies to the infraction of any law, rule, or code.

at that school no offense went unpunished

When can scandal be used instead of crime?

The meanings of scandal and crime largely overlap; however, scandal applies to an offense that outrages the public conscience.

a career ruined by a sex scandal

When is sin a more appropriate choice than crime?

The synonyms sin and crime are sometimes interchangeable, but sin implies an offense against moral or religious law.

the sin of blasphemy

When could vice be used to replace crime?

In some situations, the words vice and crime are roughly equivalent. However, vice applies to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts.

regarded gambling as a vice

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 crime Presidential pardons apply only to federal crimes, not state offenses. —

Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025 Tens of thousands of steelworkers in and around Gary were laid off, and high unemployment led to crime. —

Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025 Written by Connor McIntyre with revisions by Billy Ray, the crime thriller concerns a mayoral candidate and his wife whose son is kidnapped. —

Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Feb. 2025 Timely tax tips and the latest news delivered to your inbox weekly Kelly Phillips Erb is a Philadelphia-area Forbes senior writer who covers tax, law, and financial crimes. —

Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for crime

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crime

Noun

In turn, episodes of fraud and misconduct in small local governments don’t always surface publicly unless criminal charges are filed – and problems short of criminality may be kept quiet.

— Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025
The department has since played the role of overseer in the investigation, and reserves the right to take over again in the event of potential criminality.

— Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Jan. 2025