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

Examples 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 In addition to probably not being a crime under Arizona law, a tenant cannot be evicted because of mental health issues. —

Christopher A. Combs, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024 Topline Investigators specializing in financial crime and corruption raided the Paris office of streaming giant Netflix Tuesday morning, multiple outlets reported, as a simultaneous search took place at the company’s EMEA headquarters in Amsterdam. —

Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Statistics showing that violent crime is trending down have done little to assuage that sentiment. —

Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024 Tren de Aragua is best known for petty crimes, such as retail theft, and for targeting other Venezuelan migrants. —

Ignacio Calderon, USA TODAY, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for crime

Recent Examples of Synonyms for crime

Noun

Well, one option might be to assume that the anonymous cash will be used primarily by criminals and possession of it will be taken to be prima facie evidence of criminality.

David G.W. Birch, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
Provided that the opposition is united in its decision, another electoral contest can serve as a moment for the opposition to marshal evidence of the regime’s criminality and to dial up internal pressure via street-level organizing.

Christopher Sabatini, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2024