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
Rob Wieland, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
The teenager, who pleaded guilty to five charges, was also charged with two counts of criminal damage.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 18 Jan. 2025
Yet every cannabis consumer and every worker that serves them remains a federal criminal.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 18 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for criminal 
Adjective
These can all make great rivals for the criminal mastermind gangs as well.
—Rob Wieland, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
The teenager, who pleaded guilty to five charges, was also charged with two counts of criminal damage.
—Becca Longmire, People.com, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
As technology becomes more advanced, criminals have turned to deepfake videos or voice-cloning to manufacture a crisis involving a family member or friend.
—Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 18 Jan. 2025
Yet every cannabis consumer and every worker that serves them remains a federal criminal.
—Joseph Choi, The Hill, 18 Jan. 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
-
There is nothing sudden or unexpected about unlawful immigration at the southern border.—
Elizabeth Goitein,
TIME,
23 Jan. 2025
-
He was charged with second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment and unlawful discharge.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
This is an easy argument to dismiss because most illicit drugs don't enter the U.S. via people sneaking across the border.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Yet, the defendants allegedly stole $44 million from the relief pool and chose to spend their illicit gains on jewelry, designer clothing, and luxury cars.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Walter went to trial again on Oct. 11, 2011, facing the same judge and the same charges of felonious assault and involuntary manslaughter.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
10 Jan. 2025
-
He was indicted in July and previously faced two counts of felonious assault and four counts of endangering children.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Now, Scott Minton is walking free after his wrongful conviction was overturned, the Innocence Project announced Jan. 23.—
Olivia Lloyd,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Jan. 2025
-
In a separate civil suit, their lawyer said, the brothers are seeking compensation from the state, $50,000 per year incarcerated, for wrongful convictions.—
Simon J. Levien,
New York Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near criminal
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminal. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share