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
Raynee Howell, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Feb. 2026
The ongoing release of the Epstein files haven’t necessarily revealed any new elements of criminal wrongdoing in the media class.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Now polling suggests the public, and even Republican leaders in Congress, have stopped buying the White House’s claims that federal agents’ paramilitary-style raids only target violent criminals.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for criminal
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show current usage.
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Adjective
The only requirements for the position are lived experience as a parent or child in the child welfare system, having had their welfare case closed for one year, and not having any criminal system involvement for two years.
—Raynee Howell, Oklahoma Watch, 9 Feb. 2026
The ongoing release of the Epstein files haven’t necessarily revealed any new elements of criminal wrongdoing in the media class.
—Max Tani, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Noun
But Bad Bunny put a lot of vendors [in his performance], and that sent a big message that vendors are not criminals.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Now polling suggests the public, and even Republican leaders in Congress, have stopped buying the White House’s claims that federal agents’ paramilitary-style raids only target violent criminals.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 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 15 Feb. 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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