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
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
Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
According to the criminal complaint, the confrontation began when Castro and other ICE agents chased a man who was delivering food for DoorDash back to his house.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 18 May 2026
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
After a municipal employee was shot to death outside a school, Manzo instructed police to use lethal force against any criminal who attacked citizens or resisted arrest.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminal
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Adjective
In a criminal complaint obtained by the New York Post, prosecutors alleged that McHenry stabbed Bachmann in the neck and chest inside her car.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 18 May 2026
According to the criminal complaint, the confrontation began when Castro and other ICE agents chased a man who was delivering food for DoorDash back to his house.
—Laura Romero, ABC News, 18 May 2026
Noun
That creates enormous demand, from legitimate insurers, from aggressive lead generators, and from outright criminals, for a list of people who are about to become eligible.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 May 2026
After a municipal employee was shot to death outside a school, Manzo instructed police to use lethal force against any criminal who attacked citizens or resisted arrest.
—Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminal. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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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