crime

Definition of crimenext

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 During this visit to shore, his 12th, his crimes have included picking fights with parked cars and smashing through barriers erected to keep him off roads. ABC News, 3 July 2026 The administration boosted federal law enforcement for city patrols and then announced a crime emergency, taking control of DC’s police department and ordering an influx of roughly 2,000 National Guard troops. Shelby Talcott, semafor.com, 3 July 2026 Reducing violent crime remains one of DEA’s top strategic priorities, and the significant drug seizures resulting from this operation underscore the close relationship between violence and drug trafficking activity. Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026 Hosting a dinner party is infinitely more enjoyable with a partner in crime to help curate the playlist and the guest list, keep the conversation and the drinks flowing, and take a load off the planning. Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 3 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for crime
Recent Examples of Synonyms for crime
Noun
  • In that context, the language of immigrant criminality becomes part of the rationale for detention rules, enforcement surges and legal changes that treat noncitizens as a standing public safety risk.
    Donathan L. Brown, The Conversation, 24 June 2026
  • Police sources say no criminality is suspected.
    Elle McLogan, CBS News, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • Women often bear the brunt of the shame and grief that comes from divorce, and for many women, divorce can be seen as a personal failure.
    Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 30 June 2026
  • Concurrently, adult children often feel shame about accepting money and can also feel judged by the older generation.
    Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • Lawyers in the gas station lawsuit assert that technology is enabling antitrust violations.
    Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Beijing has and been accused of serious human violations, including large-scale arbitrary detention of Uyghur and other Muslim minorities, in Xinjiang.
    Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • That is truly a pity because this brilliant thinker revolutionized both mathematics and physics.
    Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 23 June 2026
  • The landlord took them out for a McDonald’s pity meal at the end.
    Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 15 June 2026
Noun
  • The angels, still in disguise as men, inform Lot that the city will be destroyed as punishment for its sins.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 July 2026
  • Solidaridad sin Fronteras has 58,000 health professionals among its members.
    Sarah Moreno July 1, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Jazzlyn Johnson, a spokesperson for Johnson, said in an email that Sanchez-Munoz had been charged with one count of second-degree felony murder, five counts of unlawful use of a weapon and five counts of armed criminal action.
    Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2026
  • Dozens of traffic citations were issued and one felony arrest was made during an anti-street racing and reckless driving enforcement operation in Shasta County on Friday, California Highway Patrol officials announced Monday.
    Reeti Malhotra, Sacbee.com, 30 June 2026
Noun
  • Defendants have denied wrongdoing, calling it an industrial accident.
    Scott Lebar. Story produced with AI assistance, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
  • One filing cited industry estimates suggesting that base live TV streaming packages rose significantly over time when sports programming was included, though Disney has denied any wrongdoing.
    Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 30 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/crime. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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