crime

noun

ˈkrīm How to pronounce crime (audio)
Definition of crimenext
1
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
2
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
3
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 First, crimes like the Holocaust require a series of conditions. —Robert Williams, Time, 24 Apr. 2025 In the 1960s, the Philadelphia police reported less crime on streets with window boxes. —Sonja Dümpelmann, The Conversation, 24 Apr. 2025 Marrakech also experiences a high level of crime, per the report. —Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025 The Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station watch commander informed the Times no crime had taken place at the residence. —Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for crime
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crime
  1. criminality
  2. shame
  3. pity
  4. violation
  5. sin
  6. felony
Noun
  • Police also told the site that Trachtenberg died of natural causes and that criminality was not suspected in her death.
    — Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 17 Apr. 2025
  • At the time of her death, police said criminality was not suspected.
    — Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of criminality
Noun
  • Adidas Has Double Discounts on Comfy Sneakers and Travel-ready Styles—Deals Start at $27 Vionic Tide Melo Sandals $85 $55 at Amazon These Tide Melo sandals put regular flip-flops to shame.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2025
  • After the Halls admitted the charges were true, both resigned in shame — Katie serving probation and Junifer going to federal prison for 16 months.
    — Steve Patterson, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2025
Definition of shame
Noun
  • If you're met with pity about your child's autism, don't be afraid to correct your colleagues politely.
    — Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Unfortunately, Brit drags some residuals of her pity party into the episode while car shopping with her husband in a scene devoid of any chemistry, then at dinner with Drew.
    — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
Definition of pity
Noun
  • The post was an apparent violation of Major League Baseball’s social media policy, which prohibits the use of electronic devices during games.
    — Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The withholding of files, Tate said, could amount to a Brady violation, referring to the rule that requires prosecutors to disclose material exculpatory information in the government’s possession to the defense.
    — Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of violation
Noun
  • This represents that a person belongs to Jesus Christ and that a person is grieving and morning for their sins.
    — Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025
  • If a teacher required a student who believes that being gay is a sin to write an essay repudiating that belief, for example, that would be unconstitutional.
    — Ian Millhiser, Vox, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of sin
Noun
  • Fortier pleads guilty to four felony counts under a deal that requires him to be a government witness.
    — Todd Pendleton, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • After a months’ long investigation following multiple complaints to the Kansas City Police Department, Metro Tow owner Donald Adamson and his mother, Lanette Adamson, are facing 18 felony charges related to predatory towing.
    — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of felony

Browse Nearby Words

cries up
crime
crimes
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Cite this Entry

“Crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crime. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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