as in illegal
contrary to or forbidden by law
people should know with certainty that criminal behavior will be punished
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in offender
a person who has committed a crime
car thieves, pickpockets, burglars, and other criminals
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of criminal
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2025
The maternal aunt of a 22-year-old Harlem man who died in an upstate prison after an altercation with correction officers that is under criminal investigation demanded answers Friday.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025
Judges in criminal cases can, and often do, suspend the sentence of a criminal found guilty or point to unique circumstances to limit jail time.
—Bill Hamilton, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Adjective
Michael Giano, 36, was charged Wednesday with two counts each of third-degree burglary and second-degree criminal mischief and a single count of sixth-degree larceny, according to the Wethersfield Police Department.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2025
The maternal aunt of a 22-year-old Harlem man who died in an upstate prison after an altercation with correction officers that is under criminal investigation demanded answers Friday.
—Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
Nemesis is the story of two men on either side of the law, the tale of what happens when an unstoppable force (an expert criminal), Coltrane Wilder (Noel), meets an immovable object (a brilliant police detective), Isaiah Stiles (Law).
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 5 Mar. 2025
Judges in criminal cases can, and often do, suspend the sentence of a criminal found guilty or point to unique circumstances to limit jail time.
—Bill Hamilton, Baltimore Sun, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for criminal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for criminal
Adjective
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Louisville police say anything that goes into the air or explodes is illegal for average citizens.—
James Bruggers,
The Courier-Journal,
5 July 2017
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Official fireworks shows took place over the city, and illegal pyrotechnics lit up the sky everywhere in between.—
Lisa Beebe,
Los Angeles Magazine,
5 July 2017
Adjective
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Their actions have sparked numerous lawsuits, and on Thursday, a federal judge in California found that the mass firings of probationary employees were likely unlawful.—
Kristin Brown,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2025
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Alsup’s order is a temporary measure that requires OPM to notify agencies that its directive was unlawful.—
Ashley Oliver,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Somewhat sharper are the characters who start out already well-versed in the illicit trade.—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
5 Mar. 2025
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While cocaine is the largest drug produced in Colombia, cannabis cultivation still plays a significant role in the country’s illicit drug trade.—
Dario Sabaghi,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Court records show Cook was charged with felonious assault.—
Mike Stunson,
Kansas City Star,
24 Feb. 2025
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Axe and Carawan were both charged with felonious aiding and abetting escape and conspiracy to aid and abet escape.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
29 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Permanent workers can also go directly to the Merit Systems Protection Board in order to get a decision on a wrongful firing, but probationary employees can only get there if the Office of Special Counsel represents them.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2025
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Florida is the only state with a wrongful incarceration compensation program that excludes people with prior felonies, a restriction that makes the vast majority of exonerees in the state ineligible for payments.—
Dara Kam,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Criminal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/criminal. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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