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 Hunt was later exonerated and released from prison following DNA evidence and a confession from the man who had committed the crimes. —Maia Nehme, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2025 As an actor, Bad Bunny has taken on roles in several projects, including the high-octane action-comedy Bullet Train (2022), the wrestling biopic Cassandro (2023), and the upcoming crime thriller Caught Stealing. —Allison Degrushe Published, EW.com, 29 July 2025 The punishment for her crime, according to Mosaic law, was to be stoned to death. —Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2025 These are crimes reported in Poway, Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch and adjacent communities between July 21 and July 27, 2025. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 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
  • So far, there's nothing to indicate any criminality Carl DeFazio, formerly of the NYPD, was brought on as the private investigator in the case.
    — July 5, CBS News, 5 July 2025
  • These relationships, the defense team argued, were toxic and perhaps abusive, but failed to meet the government's standards of federal criminality.
    — Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 2 July 2025
Definition of criminality
Noun
  • That would be a shame, particularly given the importance previous United managers have placed on promoting the club’s own.
    — Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2025
  • The shame and fear and disgust that welled up inside me, the bullish resistance that struggled to quell it because this man would never hurt me, this man was never wrong.
    — Meg Pillow July 31, Literary Hub, 31 July 2025
Definition of shame
Noun
  • According to reporting from the Clermont Sun, Fike tweeted ‘#thug the new n word’ in April 2015 and ‘Thug life = thug treatment = no pity from me’ in July 2019.
    — James Wilkins, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 July 2025
  • It’s supposed to be a reflection of someone really spiraling down into their self-perpetuating pity thoughts.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 11 June 2025
Definition of pity
Noun
  • The flimsy pretense for the raid was that some NABU officers had been involved in traffic accidents and violations.
    — Steve Cortes, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025
  • When an agent malfunctions in a production environment, the potential consequences include operational disruptions, security breaches, compliance violations and reputational damage.
    — Olga Megorskaya, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of violation
Noun
  • Plated with vegan sour cream or traditional Icelandic skyr and a pile of pickled veggies, their rotating flavors include options like daal, chile sin carne and smoked tofu (3,200 ISK for 10).
    — New York Times, New York Times, 24 July 2025
  • Promoting something that God defines as sin is in itself sin.
    — EW.com, EW.com, 18 July 2025
Definition of sin
Noun
  • He is wanted on four counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated kidnapping, four counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, and one count of possessing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.
    — Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Davis, 19, is already facing felony charges in Yolo Superior Court for the April 12 shooting that caused chaos and turmoil at Rainbow City Park during Picnic Day, an annual party held by UC Davis that draws large crowds both on and near campus.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 2 Aug. 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 7 Aug. 2025.

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